Black Inventors, Crafting Over Two Hundred Years of
Success
Brooklyn, NY. Dec. 12th - Black Inventors,
Crafting Over 200 years of Success, clearly highlights
the work of Black inventors from over seventy countries.
The author, Keith C. Holmes, has spent more than twenty
years researching information on inventions by Black
people from Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, Canada,
France, Germany, Gambia, Ghana, Haiti, Jamaica, Kenya,
Nigeria, and South Africa to name a few.
This book documents a number of the inventions,
patents and labor saving devices conceived by Black
Inventors. Africans, before the period of their
enslavement, developed: agricultural tools, building
materials, medicinal herbs, cloth, and weapons, among
many other inventions. Though many black people were
brought to Canada, the Caribbean, Central and South
America and the United States in chains and under the
yoke of slavery, it is relatively unknown that thousands
of them engineered labor saving devices and inventions
that spawned companies which generated money and jobs,
worldwide.
This is one of the first books that addresses the
diversity of Black inventors and their inventions from a
global perspective. The material available in this book
is an introduction to the world of Black inventors. It
gives the reader, researcher, librarian, student and
teacher the materials needed to effectively understand
that the Black inventor is not only a national
phenomenon, but also a global giant.
The material available in this book is an
introduction to the world of inventions by Black
inventors. It gives the reader, researcher, librarian,
student and teacher a powerful tool to understand that
the Black inventor is not only a national phenomenon,
but also a global giant.
Black inventors, from the very beginning of their
involvement in the invention and patenting process, have
had an important and earth shattering impact on the
world. This book highlights the work of early Black
inventors from almost all fifty states in the U.S. It
gives details about the first Black inventor who
obtained a patent in both the Caribbean and the United
States. In the United States, to date, sixteen African
American men have been inducted into the National
Inventors Hall of Fame. Two of these inventors, Jan E.
Matzeliger, (Suriname) and Elijah McCoy, (Colchester,
Canada) were born outside the United States. Recently,
Dr. Patricia Bath was nominated to the National
Inventors Hall of Fame; yet, an
African American woman has not been inducted into
this prestigious organization. Mr. Holmes documents the
creativity of Black women inventors from Africa, Canada,
the Caribbean, the United Kingdom and the United States,
and provides readers with a comprehensive view of the
ground-breaking achievements of Black inventors – both
male and female.
Finally a cohesive work that chronicles the legacy of
black inventors who have played an invaluable role in
engineering the technologies of the modern world.
Black Inventors, Crafting Over 200
Years of Success
by Keith C. Holmes
This book identifies Black inventors from over five
continents including: Africa, Australia, Canada, the
Caribbean, Central and South America, Europe, Russia,
the United Kingdom and almost all fifty states in the
United States.
Title: Black Inventors, Crafting Over 200 Years
of Success
Author: Keith C. Holmes
Publisher: Global Black Inventor Research
Projects, Inc.
Format: Paperback, 179 pages
Price: $15.00
Publication Date: July 11
th,
2009
BISAC Audience: Youth, Juvenile and Adult
BISAC Subjects: Black inventors
Language: English
Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.3 x 0.5 inches
This book is now in over 300 libraries worldwide
(Australia, Canada, the Caribbean, South Africa, the
United Kingdom, the United States).
After The Trauma Workshop Series
"S.H.E." (Strengthening,
Healing, and Empowering Ourselves after Trauma)
A series of workshops will assist women and men with
their process in healing the spirit, mind, and body in
2010 and beyond! These workshops are to assist in the
healing process of becoming whole.
A different workshop will be held the second Saturday
of each month until August.
We hope to see you there!
The first workshop
scheduled for February 13th will cover these topics:
Session
1-February 13, 2010
What is Trauma?
Journaling 1
Counseling Session ~ (available after the workshop)
The workshop will be
held at Prince Georges County Economic Development
1100 Mercantile Lane, Suite 115A
Largo, MD 20774
For more
information and to register, contact Latisha Roberts,
Campaign TAKE 6 is a powerful movement of
healing is a national call for single women to
close their legs and reconcile their lives.
From January 1st to June 30th
2010, single women are challenged to turn
within and test their thoughts, beliefs, sexual
behavior, and spirituality.
The idea for Campaign TAKE 6 was birthed
over the 2009 Thanksgiving holiday when Icen,
the author of the novelEmpty Pleasures
read a relationship article in Essence
magazine. The article focused on single Black
men and their answers to questions single women
seem to be obsessed with: “How do I get from
wifey to wife?” and “What do men want in bed?”
Inspired by her passion for single women and
their relationship struggles, and the message of
self love, acceptance and forgiveness in her
novel, Campaign TAKE 6 was launched.
How to Participate in the Challenge
Campaign TAKE 6
is very doable. The TAKE 6 Blog is where
everything will take place. Go to
www.Take6Blog.com to subscribe to the
blog and post comments. You have the opportunity
to dialogue with Icen directly throughout the
challenge. One to two questions per week will be
posted for participants to consider and really
dig deep for the answers. Keeping a journal is
highly recommended. That’s it! The questions are
designed to get straight to the core of many
issues that plague women.
About Icen
Icen
is a Virginia-based writer and the author of the
novel Empty Pleasures. Her own
tumultuous experiences in love and
relationships inspired the message in
Empty Pleasures, and the idea for
Campaign Take 6. Icen has
a great fascination for human behavior and
strongly believes in the redeeming power of
love. Encouraging self love and self worth are
the premise of her writings.
Los Angeles- When
Christopher Johnson first heard the comments
made by comedian turned relationship expert,
Steve Harvey, on the ABC News Nightline
coverage of "why so many Black women are
single," he had a strong adverse reaction.
In the report, Harvey
states that men his age have made a mistake, and
that his generation didn't teach the generation
of men behind them the principles of manhood. He
also admonishes the female viewers that since
men don't have biological clocks, younger women
should go for older men.
As a self
acknowledged 'good Black man,' author, speaker
and philanthropist, 31 year old Christopher
Johnson could not believe what he was hearing.
He felt Steve Harvey was killing not only his
chances of finding his mate, but making it
difficult for all the like-minded good Black men
he knew. Something had to be done. Within 24
hours, Johnson wrote an open letter to Harvey,
posted a video rendition of it online and
announced the launch of the Good Man Society
(http://www.GoodManSociety.com)!
Per Johnson's
compelling online post, he states, "What I
hate the most is that I am a strong black man
and I was smart enough to take from the good
that I saw in men of your generation and adapt
it into my character to become the type of man
that my mother would be proud of. But there are
men in my generation that will not do that; or,
do not have the positive outlook and disposition
that I have and they will let your statement
permeate throughout their being and become
exactly what you have set women up to believe
they are! And that is "that we are no good and a
good man is hard to find!" Or better yet as you
say "GET AN OLDER MAN!" Come on where does that
leave us young men that are out here, and are
good men and are ready for marriage, and are not
players, and are looking to help the world in
some way."
Johnson's response
hit a nerve. The open letter and video is not
only circulating the web while stimulating
dialogue between the sexes, but also galvanizing
hundreds of good men as they sign up on his site
at
www.GoodManSociety.com. A movement
is in the making, with Johnson hoping to secure
the commitment of one million good men under the
banner of this new organization.
"I was appalled when
I heard Mr. Harvey. I have spent my entire life
working to be the best man I can be so that I
will be a good husband for someone. And then I
hear my chances being shot down in a single
blow. I was devastated. My response however, is
not a campaign against Steve Harvey. What it is
is a campaign for good men. We do exist and we
need to make our voices heard. When I hear about
all the statistics talking about a shortage, all
I can respond with to that is that I have never
been surveyed!" asserts Johnson.
A native of Kansas City, Missouri now residing
in Los Angeles, Johnson is the CEO of CBJ
Enterprises. An author, relationship coach
and motivational speaker, he has just released
his third book from CBJ Publishing
entitled "Hang Up the Phone,
the Guide to Getting Over Your EX in 30 Days."
Johnson contends that the formula to a good
relationship is successfully getting over the
last one. "I don't want a woman to think like a
man," he says referring to Harvey's best selling
book, "but I do want her to be over her last
relationship when she gets to me. Many a good
man's heart has been tangled up in the
battlefield of a past relationship gone bad."
Johnson's past titles include "My Mom Was My
Dad" a book written to help single mothers
deal with raising sons, and "Getting Dressed
from the Inside" a journey to reach the
paradise of self-worth.
With the creation of
the Good Man Society, Johnson hopes to dispel
once and for all the myth about the lack of
eligible good men. The society is open to all
races, but first and foremost, Johnson is
focusing on Black men as they have been the
target of recent media exposés like the one
highlighting Steve Harvey. He is securing sign
ups at the site and has plans to create a
national forum for good men around the country.
With a mission to
better the world, one person at a time,
Johnson's philanthropy efforts also include two
non-profit organizations focused on helping the
community at large. "Let Everybody Read" is
spearheading the push to secure impactful
reading materials in low income areas, while his
"Best Food 4ward" focuses on providing business
attire to disadvantaged adults working to secure
jobs in the workforce.
"I've always believed in being proactive not just reactive. I am so
grateful that the response to my message has
been so overwhelming. I never anticipated such
a reception, but I am compelled to spearhead a
movement for good men. It's one thing to get a
bad rap, but we are basically out here and not
being acknowledged at all. It is time for a
change and I believe God is directing me,"
expresses Johnson.
NOTE TO MEDIA: Christopher
Johnson is available for interview, contact
jazzmynpe@gmail.com. For review copies of
"Hang Up the Phone," send name, media
outlet and address to
jazzmynepr@gmail.com.
J. R. Perry Introduces Love Drop
Radio
Love Drop Radio's
mission is to drop the love back into music and to reach
the global listeners of all demographics. Love Drop Radio's
goal is to highlight Las Vegas, Nevada all over
the world, via Internet Radio. We feel that it is
time for the worlds best entertainment hotels, casinos
and resorts to get on the global media map via
Internet Radio. We will give our advertisers as well
as the listeners an instant connection for a mutual
exchange of there many brands, products and services
that they offer that are not reaching there full
potential with local terrestrial
stations. Love
Drop Radio
will help global branding for many of our advertisers
worldwide.
Love Drop Radiolisteners will be very happy and
pleased to hear a diverse genre of music from smooth to
groove R & B, hip-hop, jazz, pop, gospel, reggae, funk
and touching on country and blues with plenty of drip
dropping appeal to relax the listeners minds.
Love Drop
Radio's local, national and worldwide news
center "The
Vortex"
will keep you in touch with the news, weather, sports
events and breaking news to always keep you informed. Love Drop Radio's
objective is to connect with people, cities, nations and
to reach the global universe of music listeners. Love Drop Radio
aims to bring back the real music to radio and reclaim
our peace of mind, heart and soul. Love Drop Radio
is committed to fulfill the void of the declining,
decayed and suppressed music that has poisoned the minds
of the worlds listeners.
Pastor DeWayne Harvey presents
The Praise Team of Greater Blessings Tabernacle of Praise
DeWayne Harvey
is a prolific gospel artist with a lifetime dedicated to
spiritual service. He’s singer, songwriter, Pastor and
philanthropic businessman… and it’s all in a day’s work.
When a child prodigy
meets destiny, it is a beautiful experience to watch.
You see divine talent in its raw form develop and that
is what it was like on that magical day when DeWayne
Harvey heard his infamous aunt, of The Harvey Sisters,
sing ‘Call Him By His Name’ in church at age three. The
song resonated in young DeWayne’s spirit and the birth
of a music legend happened that day.
His “calling” to
minister in music became so obsessive, he took matters
into his own little hands by making sure he always
matched colors with the choir every Sunday and he knew
all the words to all the songs the choir rehearsed and
sang. If they purchased new robes, he had to have a
little one made for him and he began to create and
appreciate the work ethic it takes to be a great
performer.
Born in Tallahassee
and raised in Crawfordville, Florida, DeWayne did not
have any so-called “big” gospel names to mentor him. He
did have loving guidance and mentors in the game – his
aunts who performed across the country as ‘The Harvey
Sisters’. While they were out rehearsing, performing,
coordinating their outfits, and handling the logistics
of “ministering in song” unbeknownst to them, they were
setting the example for young DeWayne to follow in
ministering, performing and seeing the business acumen
he would develop.
DeWayne did not
concentrate on becoming a soloist; he concentrated on
establishing a group of singers and performers who would
minister the Word of God through song. He eventually
took charge of the adult choir at Pilgrim Rest Primitive
Baptist Church at the tender age of 13 and continued
this tradition while attending Florida A&M University.
While others were flocking to become a part of the
renowned Florida A&M University’s “rattlers” band,
DeWayne stayed true to his calling, ministering on the
University’s Gospel Chorus.
Being in charge of an
adult choir at age 13 demonstrated to DeWayne’s
superiors at church that he was able to handle the
pressures of officiating rehearsals, coordinating
performances, choosing, writing and executing songs
effortlessly. Handling the “business” side of the show
allowed him to use those skills when it came time to
start his own ensemble. “I have always been drawn to the
group setting in ministering by song, it never occurred
to me to minister alone”, said Harvey recently. “I
didn’t even think I had the voice to be a singer. I knew
that God was using me but I didn’t think I could make a
career of it”. So, he made a career of taking good care
of people. He has two degrees and is presently
completing his Doctorate Degree in Health Care
Administration. He became an award-winning businessman
as owner of Innovative Management Services, a highly
successful health care entity for adults and the
disabled that continues to flourish and grow. Yet
something continued to flourish and grow in DeWayne… his
calling to serve God through music.
“I heard the voice of God say ‘WHEN ARE YOU GOING
TO DO SOMETHING WITH THE THING THAT I GAVE YOU?’
I knew I had to do something with my gifts that I never
had done before. I wasn’t supposed to sing them, I
thought, because I wasn’t the best. ‘Maybe someday
someone would see them’ (the songs he had secretly
written). But that day, immediately, I pulled the music
out and got with a group of singers.” They rehearsed.
They toiled. They fine-tuned their sound until they
were ready to perform. One day, as they were approaching
the stage to magnify the Lord, someone asked them their
name and UNRESTRAINED PRAISE came out, without restraint
or pause just like the hits came, from his first
recording “Be Encouraged” to the most recent cd “Tell
It”. His music flourished and the sound that he crafted
became easily recognized.
Now the new project, “Whose Report” is the first single
from the new CD “The Report of the Lord”. With a rich,
classic anointed Gospel track and loaded with old school
praising, the mixed unadulterated praise flow of “Whose
Report” captures, enlightens and transforms the listener
to the next level of praise and worship. Pastor DeWayne
Harvey says “God has definitely given him and The
Greater Blessing Tabernacle of Praise congregation a
word for this season for the nation and that is to
believe “The Report of The Lord.”
For more information contact:
Mary L. Moore So Much Moore Communications (973) 675-6992
Hearing
Ty Stephens with Robyn Walker
From
grassroots-style flyers to digital advertising, it
is crucial to market your voice, your sound, your
talent. Especially in a world where an array of
melodies compete with each other to be played,
danced to, listened to…or like Sidney Deane (from
White Men Can’t Jump) would say, to be heard. You
have to hear
music. How else would we know about the
soul-warming, feel-good tunes of Mr. Ty Stephens?
It’s
been more than 30 years since the passing of the
late great Donny Hathaway. This October he would
have celebrated his 64th birthday. Ty
Stephens will take on the opportunity of honoring
Mr. Hathaway by performing two tribute concerts.
Let’s
talk a little with Ty so we can get the scoop.
RW:
What was it like growing up in Philly and being in
the fine arts world? Did the city offer what you
needed in order to be creative?
TS:
In terms of learning, Philly had much to offer. I
majored in Fine Arts and performed in school
productions at Overbrook High School. I studied
theatre and dance with the
Philadelphia Youth Theatre at Society Hill
Playhouse, attended Temple University’s Stella
Elkins Tyler School of Art, and I also danced with
John Hines’ Dance Theatre of Philadelphia. However,
after I got the skills, it wasn’t easy to find the
places in Philly to utilize them back then so I had
to venture out.
RW:
Define your music style.
TS:
Soul Jazz. I actually renamed my band “Soul Jaazz”
to reflect our music style and also played with the
spelling to make it flow like “Souljahs” because
they are my soldiers.
RW: A
good old-school song will come on the radio and
often times you will hear someone say, “See, this is
when music was good.” or “They made real
music back then.” What is your take on this? Do you
agree?
TS: I
agree to an extent, because I grew up on those “good
old-school songs.” We as a public do not have access
to all of the quality music that exists. If it’s not
the sound of the moment, we may not ever hear it.
Artists like India Arie, Jill Scott, and
Musiq Soulchild don’t get played enough.
RW:
So, are you excited to honor the late, great
Donny Hathaway? Did you listen to him while
growing up?
TS:
Absolutely! Donny was one of my favorite artists to
listen to while growing up. The way I studied was by
really listening to the music. I learned the
breathing, the phrasing, the intonation…artists like
Donny and Stevie, they are from a classic era and
listening to them has helped shaped me.
RW:
Can you share some of the songs that you plan to
perform during the tribute?
TS:
Of course. We will perform one of my favorites,
The Ghetto. Some Day We’ll All Be Free, a
song that I used to ground myself. We’ll also be
performing some duets – A Song For You and
You’ve Lost That Loving Feeling. We will have
two shows and afterwards local artists will be
invited and welcomed to perform their own tributes.
RW:
If you could perform during any era, when/ where
would it be and why?
TS:
In the ‘70’s when Donny Hathaway performed at
The Fillmore East in New York and at The Troubadour
in Los Angeles. Listening to those recordings is
amazing because you can hear the audience go crazy –
they were just as much a part of his performance as
he was.
RW:
Any other upcoming shows that you would like to tell
us about?
TS:
We will be performing at The Priory in New Jersey on
October 16.
RW:
Tell us about your last work of art, Aquarian
Mind. What inspired that title and the music?
TS:
My zodiac sign is Aquarius. This CD is a collection
of songs about what was going on in my brain. It is
an evolution of all that I’ve accomplished.
RW:
Do you have any advice to offer up and coming
soul/jazz artists in terms of marketing themselves?
TS:
From an artistic standpoint, keep your options open.
Jazz is an open medium and a foundation for your
music. From a business standpoint, learn as much as
you can on your own because you may be on your own
at times.
Join
Ty in “Celebrating Donny” at The Triad Theatre in
New York on Sunday, October 11, 2009. Show times are
at 5:30 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.
Check out the video below to
get a glimpse of Ty at work.
The Triad Theatre is
located in New York City at 158 West 72nd Street
between Broadway and Columbus Avenue. Call The Triad
Theatre at (212)362-2590 for additional
information. Reservations can be made at
www.triadnyc.com.
Tickets are $25.00.
Welcome To Harlem is the proud sponsor of the
evenings celebration.
The Annual Barometer
of the Conditions,
Experiences and
Opinions of African Americans
THE STATE OF BLACK
AMERICA® 2009
Message to the
President
With the 2009 Equality
Index™
At the
dawn of Barack Obama’s historic presidency, The State of
Black America 2009 examines the critical challenges
—such as unemployment, home foreclosures, education and
health care reform — his new administration must address.
In this volume, the National Urban League presents the
voices of leading scholars, analysts and practitioners, as
well as ordinary citizens asking their government to respond
to their concerns – and offers its specific recommendations
for effectively tackling these issues. The State of Black
America 2009: Message to the President is an invaluable
guide, not only for the new President, but for anyone
seeking solutions that will empower every American to
Thrive, Earn, Own and Prosper.
We welcome the new vision the
Obama administration brings to Washington and to America.
But this vision can only become a reality if we make it so.
The State of Black
America 2009: Message to the President, is an essential
part of the National Urban League’s effort to bring about
this vision by working with the new Administration to tackle
the nation’s deepening domestic challenges. I hope that it
encourages and inspires each of you to join us in working to
help President Obama fulfill the promise he made to us last
summer “to build a nation worthy of our children’s future.”
---Marc H.
Morial, President and CEO
I hope that The State of Black America
2009: Message to the President will find its way to the
desks of decision makers from the White House to both Houses
of Congress to every state house and to local governments
throughout the nation. I also hope that it will lead to a
national dialogue that spawns an agenda with support from
the private sector and its civic counterpart. With this hope
we can hasten the realization of my father’s dream so that
the narratives of all Americans can be one.
