Minister of Self Defense Indiegogo

While writing Huffington Post   to support and bring shine to other filmmakers ( A Lady Must Live, Millie and The Young Lords) I was learning about crowd funding too. Last month I attended a workshop on  at IFP Media Center in Brooklyn with John Trigonis  and  Kristen Konwitz  from Indiegogo Film. Thanks to the talented actors at Intar Theatre where scenes  from the screenplay were read weekly. Backstage gave me access to post casting notices.This month I launched a crowd funding campaign  "Minister of Self Defense". "Minister of Self Defense"  is a feature film project about Huey P. Newton of The Black Panther Party.  As New York took to the streets in protest of the Eric Garner grand jury verdict ( I can't breathe!) I have been working on a three year journey to bring Huey's activism against police brutality in the 1960's to the big screen.This is the first step in a journey to make a feature film that can't be made without the people who want to see  a timely slice of American History. The funds raised will go towards the production of a short film from four pages of the script  in which Huey is confronted by Representative Mulford on the Black Panther patrols, 2nd Amendment rights, and the laws of open carry.  This is a powerful scene from the feature length script (approximate 90 pages). The short film shoot will be a SAG indie production with the best actors, director and craftsmen in the film business to make a quality film. I think a grassroots ride or die activist like Newton would love an independently financed film. 

#OBESSED @ Lord & Taylor

About a month ago I was in Twitterverse when @LordandTaylor asked, "What are you obsessed about?". Well I am in the Fifth Avenue Lord and Taylor frequently and I covet the Coach Tatum tote.

 So perfect for carrying all my stuff( iPad, yoga mat, snacks, extra shoes,  makeup bag etc.) so I tweeted back on @StilettoFilms with the #Obsessed. Well this morning my handsome FedEx man delivered an envelope with a gift card from Lord and Taylor. Just what this Lady Boss needs a day of retail theraphy. Thanks for the treat Lord and Taylor!

The Chairman Bobby Seale

  Julius Caesar  advised “If you must break the law, do it to seize power: in all other cases observe it.” So that is what Bobby Seale and Huey P. Newton did to challenge the racism and inequality of the 1960's. After serving three years in the Us Air Force he attended Merritt College  in Oakland  where he met Newton and  formed The Black Panther Party for Self Defense. Reminiscent of Michael Brown  and Trayvon Martin today,  Bobby Seale and Huey P. Newton went  to get justice for Denzil Dowell  a young African American construction worker shot in handcuffs. Throughout his civil rights  career he was jailed several times. There was The Mulford Act where he stormed the Sacramento Capitol with guns to protest the violation of his constitutional rights.

Valor worthy of a Presidential Medal of Freedom  Bobby was  bound and gagged at his 1969 court case for being accused of inciting riots protesting The Vietnam War at the Democratic National Convention known as The Chicago 8.  COINTELPRO engineered murder charges  then  arrested Bobby Seale and Ericka Huggins for the murder of Alex Rackley. The charges were dismissed.  During his reign as Chairman of The Black Panther Party, Surivial Programs such as free  breakfast for children,free groceries, prison reform, healthcare  clinics and a school and were established.  He ran for mayor of Oakland and came in second.  He is the author of "The Lonely Rage" and "Seize The Time". As a senior statesman of civil rights Bobby Seale continues his mission for social change with  speaking engagements and a new book, "The Eighth Defendant".

The Queen Christine Vachon

The Queen of independent film Christine Vachon   took to Twitter to announce the impeding 20 year anniversary of Killer Films and homage must be paid.  As producing partner with Pamela Koffler, her 60 plus slate includes features, shorts,  documentaries and made for television films. The Brown graduate who began as a production assistant, Christine is a successful businesswoman with twenty five years under her belt in the volatile entertainment industry.

Under her rebellious helm  (Far From Heaven> (nominated for four Academy Awards),< Boys Don't Cry (Academy Award winner), One Hour Photo, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Happiness, Velvet Goldmine, SAFE, I Shot Andy Warhol, Go Fish, Swoon, I'm Not There, Gigantic, Cracks and Cairo Time to name a few)  are where socially conscious, creative and edgy films get made.  Those who can do teach Christine is in demand as an entertainment industry speaker   and mentor.

 She's written two how it's done books, "Shoot to Kill" and "A Killer Life: How An Independent Film Producer Survives Deal And Disasters In Hollywood And Beyond" on low budget filmmaking.

Now is the time to plan the retrospectives, lifetime achievement awards, tributes and specials for the filmmaker who lives by her own credo, "Making movies is an immoderate activity. You have to stay sane and also embrace the madness if you want to shoot to kill.".

b michael @ Mercedes Benz Fashion Week 2014

b michael and model at the finale

Andre Leon Talley

 When I was girl in Philadelphia My mom did piece work. She would bring home boxes of clothes from the garment factory she worked at and make extra money turning cuffs, clipping threads of some special order. I would eat my dinner or do my homework while she worked steadily.I love being able to attend Fashion Week and seeing the lean beautiful models , fashion designers and editors gives me a thrill. On my bucket list is to attend Paris Fashion week too. I wrote a  HuffPost Style piece on b michael's show 2015. It really makes me appreciate the quality and craftsmanship behind the couture I see in the show. Of course I hope to see my leading lady in "The Billionaress" wear such beautiful treasures!

Indie Film Media Moguls

The marriage of independent film and technology is in the best hands for these prolific and creative artists of the industry haveutilized social media platforms to mentor and empower independent filmmaking. Academy award winning actor, director and producer Kevin Spacey  (The Life of David Gale,House of Cards) launched Trigger Street Labs to support filmmakers in the development of their work. Academy award winning actor and director (The Butler, Waiting to Exhale) Forrest Whitaker platform is JuntoBox Films were filmmakers compete to be green lit for production.  Director Ava Duvernay (Middle of Nowhere, Scandal) startedher career as a film publicist before winning her Best Director award from Sundance. Her AFFRM short for The African Film Festival Releasing Movement is a media platform for  marketing and distribution of independent film. Academy award  winning  director, actors and producers Ben  Affleck and Matt Damon (Argo, Good Will Hunting) has returned to their indie film roots reviving “Project Green Light” with HBO. The search is on for the next film director to feature on their journey to directing a film.

How to be a Geisha

Last week my young girlfriend shared her interest in  a new book on how to catch a man. Since I have been a girl these books (The Rules, He's Not That into You, Think Like A Man) have been around. So I decided I am gonna to write my bestselling book, "How to be a Geisha" and let it rain money on me. Here are my tips on how to get the big ring :

1. Get a fan. Carry it with you always. You talk too much. Hide your mouth behind it only to reveal your beautiful eyes. 

2. Wear high heels. The higher the better. You walk too fast and now you'll take tiny tiny steps.

3. Serve a man. They love being waited on.  "Is your arm broken?" That is not the way of a geisha. 

4.Listen. If you get bored you can yawn or giggle behind your fan.

5. Never eat in front of a man. Besides your hands should be free for serving and fan holding.

6. Save Face. Men say silly things. "I run this city". "This is my house".  Learn to ignore.


7. The Kudzu. Being a Geisha is not about submission. Oh no. A geisha can dispatch lethal power at will. Choose your moments. 

There's more but I am saving it for my monster hit book, movie, app, television series, perfume, album and clothing line. 

 Sayonara.

America's First Couturier Charles James

“My structures… look as if the body were no more ambulatory than a mermaid’s yet permit large reckless movement,” said Charles James America’s first couturier. Revered by his peers Christian Dior and Balenciaga who called him “the greatest couturier in the world”.  The Metropolitan Museum of Arts retrospective, “ Beyond Fashion: Charles James" pays homage to his artistry through August 10^th. 

The exhibit showcases his gowns with trademark names Four leaf Clover, Butterfly, Tulip and Swan. The exhibit includes an infrared camera display to feature the sculpture and construction of several gowns.  The new Anna Wintour Costume Center displays his Chelsea Hotel atelier, drafts, notes and sketches by Joe Eula.  His designs were worn by private clients, the wives of millionaire titans and best dressed list perennials like Babe Paley, Millicent Rogers, Gloria Vanderbilt, Dominique de Menil, Mrs. William Randolph Hearst Jr., Gypsy Rose Lee and the exquisite movie star Marlene Dietrich. Today’s stylish beauties such as Eletra Wideman, Marisa Tomei and Angela Jolie who wore Charles James in her movie, “The Tourist”, appreciate the timeless elegance of his designs.

Babe Paley

Eletra Wideman   Marisa Tomei

  Marchesa designer Georgina Chapman and her husband movie mogul Harvey Weinstein are launching a revival of the Charles James brand. Do see the collection of the man his friend photographer Bill Cunningham, called "the Einstein of fashion."

Bring Back Our Books #BringBackOurGirls

This week I received an e-mail from Ms. Kwambula Asbe Ali head teacher of the Chibok

Secondary School in Nigeria. On April 20th Boko Haram abducted 232 schoolgirls during a physics test. After writing a post “Bring

Back Our Girls” to feature petitions on Change.org and We the People to call for

action on their safe return. I thought about the actions against the school and the

meaning of Boko Haram (Western education is evil)which inspired me to write the head

teacher for a wish list for the school. 

On   GoFundMe, I’ve posted a crowd funding campaign, “"Bring Back Our Girls"”. Ms. Asbe

sent a comprehensive list of the texts books

and computers needed at the school. This is  way beyond my modest goal.  However I remain optimistic to quote Nelson Mandela “It always seems

impossible until it’s done”.

The following textbooks are available

through Pearson Publishing:

New Concept English for Junior Secondary

Schools Book 1, 2 and 3

Longman Advantage Junior Secondary English

Book 1,2 and 3

New Concept Mathematics for junior Secondary

Schools Book 1,2 and 3

Basic Mathematics for Junior Secondary

Schools Book 1,2 and 3

Longman Advantage Junior Secondary

Mathematics 1,2 and 3

Junior Secondary Agricultural Science UBE

Edition

Agricultural Science for Junior Secondary

Schools Book 1,2 and 3

Basic Science for Junior Secondary Schools

UBE Edition Book 1,2 and 3

NRDC Basic Technology for Junior Secondary

Schools UBE Edition Book 1,2 and 5

Basic Social Studies for Junior Secondary

Schools UBE Edition Book 1,2 and 3

Islamic Studies for Junior Secondary Schools

Book 1,2 and 3

Fundamentals of Physical and Health

Education for Junior and Secondary Schools

UBE Edition Book 1, 2 and 3

New Computer Studies Book 1,2 and 3

Business Studies for Junior Secondary

Schools UBE Edition Book 1,2 and 3

Basic Civil Education for Junior Secondary

Schools Book 1,2 and 3

The following textbooks are available

through MAB Publishing.

New Concept English for Senior Secondary

Schools Book 1,2 and 3

Intensive English for Senior Secondary

Schools Book 1,2 and 3

New General Mathematics for Senior Secondary

Schools 3rd edition 1,2 and 3

New Concept Mathematics for Senior Secondary

Schools book 1,2 and 3

Stan Agricultural Science for Senior

Secondary Schools

Modern Biology for Senior Secondary Schools

2010

New Edition Senior Secondary Biology Book

1,2, and 3

Practical Chemistry for Senior Secondary

Schools

Comprehensive Chemistry for Senior Secondary

Schools

Senior Secondary Certificate Practical

Physics

Calculation in Physics for Senior Secondary

Schools

Senior Secondary Physics Book 1,2 and 3

Senior Secondary Geography Book 1,2 and 3

Fundamentals of Economics for SSCE, NBCE,

UTME and similar Examinations

100 Computers

Samsung has an education program providing   solar laptops made for Africa.

 I have learned a new word Boko Halal which means Education is good.

Lupita Superstar

After reading an Entertainment Weekly article, “Black Star,

 

White Ceiling” about the lack of film roles for 2014 Oscar

winner Lupita Nyong’o I decided to add my two cents. I

think it’s great that she’s got film roles in “Jungle

Book” and now “Star Wars”. I love her modeling for Miu Miu. (I am hoping for her  a Vogue magazine cover too.) However

following her Academy award win for “Twelve Years a Slave”,

I just wish she had a starring role in a film worthy of her  talent and beauty.

I think she’d be wonderful in a film of

Pearl Cleage’s book, “What Looks like Crazy on an Ordinary

Day”, Toni Morrison’s book “Tar Baby”, Gloria Nayor’ s book

( she also wrote a screenplay at a Sundance Lab )“Mama

Day”, Lynn Nottage’s Pulitzer prize winning play, “Ruined”. Or

maybe a bio pic about a historical character like Hottentot

Venus or Assata Shakur. If only someone in Hollywood could

read…

Update : Vogue Cover!

L'Hommes du Cinema

I wrote a Huffington Post about the sexy Gilles Marini but he's not the only French actor I adore watching. Oscar winner Jean Dujardin is an accomplished comic actor but also a writer. Omar Sy role as a caregiver in "Untouchable" is one I urge you to see. Melvil Poupaud intense performances in "Lawrence Always" is  reminiscent of 1970's American Method actors ( DeNiro, Hoffman, Pacino). All these films can be downloaded or rented and are  perfect for small screen at home viewing. Just add wine, cheese and chocolates.

Bring Back Our Girls

K

Ten years ago Susan Minot wrote an article, “This We Came to Know Afterwards” which later evolved into her novel, “Thirty Girls” which shares the story of thirty girls abducted and kept captive by Joseph Kony leader of the Lord’s Resistance Army in Uganda. The girls endured rape, torture and inhumane atrocities before being returned to their families.  On April 20^th according to The Guardian, Boko Haram, the extremist al-Qaida-linked jihadi group abducted over 200 young girls from a school physics test in Chibok, Nigeria. Boko Haram   means, "Western education is sinful."  While   Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan prepares   to host the World Economic Forum on May 7-9, 2014 in Abuja  to quote  “We need to adequately educate our people, as it is through education that we can unlock the potential of our youth to enable Africa to compete globally and create jobs in the new knowledge economy.”  His priority should be  unfolding tragedy   and returning  the schoolgirls  to  safety.   There is a   Change.org petition, “Over 200 Girls are Missing in Nigeria. Why doesn’t anyone care?” The White House has a petition, “Bring Home the Girls” addressed to the UN and President Obama. Help the families bring action by the Nigerian government to save our daughters. 

 

Update :
I have added a campaign at GoFundMe to raise money for the Chibok School

Bring Back Our Girls

"Soar"

“Soar” is a 60-minute documentary work in progress about   two sisters, Keira and Uriah and their love of dance.     Keria is a quadruple amputee who embraces the challenges of her disability with her younger sister Uriah’s   love and support to devote her talents to perform.  The filmmaker Susan Hess Logeais of Hot Flash Films is raising the finishing funds on a Kickstarter campaign for a live concert finale for the documentary for crew, marketing, postproduction and music licensing.   The dancing sisters have been embraced by the Portland professional dance community who will participate in a concert that will serve as the documentary's finale.  The documentary has a fiscal sponsor Women Make Movies that allows for tax-deductible donations. The sisters of “Soar” who by sharing their journey in a documentary sends a heartfelt message about spiritual and physical challenges and triumph of what is possible with spirit and family. The novelist Gloria Naylor inspired us to know, “Not only is your story worth telling, but it can be told in words so painstakingly eloquent that it becomes a song”.  Or a dance.

Update : After almost reaching their funding goal on Kickstarter  (90% was raised) ,the girl's have a campaign on Seed & Spark .  Fly!

Spring Save or Splurge

I have sworn off buying expensive makeup. I stick to what is in the drugstore and I splurge on fragrance. I am not very good at makeup techniques.  Last time I tried the  smoky eye   I almost got a black eye so I leave the tricks to a makeup artist. My drugstore favs never disappoint me and I love keeping it simple. I love Maybelline mascara I think everyone does. Maybelline has a pure makeup foundation in a tube that is light and natural.  Almay has lovely coordinating eyeshadow trios. And even I can do the Revlon Color stay liquid eyeliner.   When I go to a department store I splurge on my favorite Chanel perfume (I love them all actually).