A Word About Prayer from Me to You

You're never to young to pray, nor too old to stop praying. This essay mainly are for the young ones who may not understand the importance of establishing a relationship with God. If this bit of advice is something you can identify with, give me a moment of your time, will you? Praying is important and needed in your life. From birth you have learned to communicate. We as parents and teachers will always find your efforts endearing and, if we think honestly, the trust and confidence you’ve expressed has humbled us. We know and love you deeply and imperfectly. God, who gave you life, knows and loves you perfectly. Love and awareness of our human limits impel us to help you to learn and understand prayer, and communicating with God. 

By praying ourselves, our hope is to always know that you are following our examples when we talk to God. I believe that you truly want to know God as you’ve shown signs of an eager heart and a willing spirit. There’s a special place of rest that He preserves for us as grown-ups, and as you learn to communicate with Him, you too will find this special place of rest. It takes time and obedience to truly get it right…and as you progress, God will be right by your side!

The key to all of this is for you to gain confidence in your initiation to start praying more and understanding how to do so. It can lead you to re-examine your own attitudes about prayer. As a leader and Deacon here at Koinonia, I endeavor and pledge myself and all the help needed to make sure that you are instructed properly how to pray and get support. Prayer is the beginning of a personal relationship with God. Take what you’ve learned from new member orientation classes to be used to help build the Kingdom and be responsible children and young adults. I hope too, that if you have questions or comments you’d let them be known.

Share your concern with your parents, listen to your Pastor or any of the Elders and Deacons of your church as they share the wisdom of the Word. It wouldn't hurt to pray more in earnest, and DO let someone from time know your experiences with bowing your head and paying homage to Him. We want to see what amount of progress you're making!

The Soul of A Man

The soul of a Black man should be profound and practical should someone ask about content and character. The depths that are ours, deep within our psyche are the volumes of consciousness that make us who we are. We are men of color - Black men tried, true and transient at times. We are who we are because time has shaped our mindsets and given us definitive stereotypes that we are still endeavoring to grip for positive results. We are constantly being asked - what is it that makes us the way we are? My response is simple. I tell them I am who I am and iniquity has given me my lease on life to have changed and tell a GOOD story!

Early on I knew my destiny, but had problems accepting it and making it the entity that would give me confidence. I kept a store inside of me, as I kept my emotions captive. I was shy and introspective and lacked verve and vivacity to allow me to be open with my thoughts. I was told that I was sensitive, and I grew to believe it seeing much around me succumb to my penchant for change. I got the chance after enlisting in the military and attending college. I came away intact and armed with new truths that shaped me as a man. I saw the world, met people of stature, married, had kids, and have run businesses. I am the man that time created. I am a writer!

All my adolescent years became a portrait of me framed for the notion of telling stories and being good at it. I began to write and envisioned becoming an author. I thought putting my thoughts on paper would be a nice life but never stopped dreaming. I studied hard, researched on my own, read laboriously for information on all things literary. And in the interim I learned HOW to write; I paid close attention to how specific writers wrote their stories, especially language and sentence structure; I took a few writing courses, but mainly I gained a penchant for talking to those that I'd befriended along the way. What's inside MY bears witness to a world of expressionism that is opinionated and quite open.

The career I’ve carved learning to be a respected as a journalist and freelance writer is best exemplified in my view from the catbird seat. That’s my voice viewing life as I see it as wit, words, and the wisdom thereof. The road that I and my brothers travel is not an easy one. What are we thinking about then? What else is on the minds of men? Our minds are not idle, and my mind is full and reverberating. I’m a conversationalist at heart and will talk to anyone willing to debate realism vs. ambiguity. I've always wanted to run as fast as I could to the finish line of life, where God would be there to shake my hand and say, “well done my faithful servants” I want to be deserving of this, because I do not want to see women continuing to be the head of households, and where my community is not run by matriarchy. I want my young folk to take inventory of their lives so that self, family and community are interwoven for sustained awareness. I want black-on-black crime to cease for Agape Love to permeated using a sense of connectivity, commitment and the commission of good intent.

My soul is my temple and my spiritual being is alive bubbling to the top waiting to explode! I'm striving for inner peace and ways to teach my children for the next generation. I want us Black men to finally get it together so that we are inferior to no one and that we have balanced the scales. I would want you to know me as I am!

Winners in the Face of Adversity

Signs of the times will have us in direct contact with the pertinent things that are prevalent to take heed of what's right and what's wrong in our lives. We go about our business and we are products of our environment and certainly the barometer to measure worth pertaining to all of the above. We Black men have been challenged in greater proportion than in any other time in our lives. We at times have searched for answers, and have given quite a bit to eschew some of the ill-will that surrounds us, but to some there are much more to do. We have to search within to apply much more to arrive at solutions. These are the times where we have to just put our feelings out there. We hurt, and are susceptible to scrutiny and critique.

I read a book recently there I'd like to share with you. I read it, reviewed it, and have come to realize that my colleagues and many others are just normal folk on the fringes of an impartial society that breeds brokenness. The book's characters are trapped in life, or in situations that they don't want to be in; some are looking for a way out, and others beyond hope BC. But a familiar thing happened along the way toward redemption. When you find the Lord and He gives you an amplified ear to hear His still small voice - you MOVE! This book, THE TRIUMPH OF MY SOUL is here for you, complete with my reflections. Read it and know that redeeming value is all in how one tackles his/her adversity.

The trials and tribulation that God allows us to traverse says a lot about challenges and change. We are broken on purpose to have the wherewithal and ability to keep our heads to the sky, and know that if there’s a will there’s a way. TRIUMPH OF MY SOUL by Elissa Gabrielle is the first of several books in a series that will give voice to human conditions that cater to the angst and adversity that color our spiritual Diaspora as people of color. These are inspiring stories of victory over adversity, and the ability to know the difference between living vertically vs. horizontally. The Triumph of My Soul ably delivers poignant testimonies with heartfelt stories of love, hope, faith, redemption and inspiration.

With this firmly in mind, the authors therein presented in this anthology spoke with heart-felt vigor and preservation of mind opening their souls to succeed beyond and despite the ‘brokenness’. These are their stories, and in the midst of the storms, there’s courage, faith, and wisdom to call upon He who strengthens us. You get a chance to read each entity and perhaps rejoice knowing that “this too shall pass”. Author Elissa Gabrielle assembled a worthy crew of writers to expound on these ideals of hurt and pain illustrating personal vistas in discovering solutions and applications. Albeit, not all of the stories in this set are created equal. There are a few that weren’t as strong as others which are typical of anthologies of this nature where balance may not be in the offering. In this case though, nothing is taken away from the overall tone of success that I render.

How far must one travel to know that a new lease on life is eminent, or there’s a saving Grace in adhering to that still small voice? I found ardent answers as I read each story and imagined how I could be the recipient of His loving embrace! The authors bearing their souls are some that I’m familiar with, and others that are cutting their literary teeth for the first time. 

The emotions and struggles seemed up front and personal. I can hark to the stories that touched me most. To wit: Jessica Tilles’ ‘Julian’s Grace’ showed how one can go beyond living for the moment to enable a deeper value of an innate love beyond the surface. It’s a gut-wrenching love story that demands your attention; my favorite by Allison Deese – ‘Discovering the Joy Within’ is the story of how a teenaged mother rallied against the forces of nature to triumph over an abusive lover, and how examples were shown to give credence for perseverance. Then there are stories depicting adolescence where maturity materializes in the end for new leases on life, and where the downtrodden can realize how victory can be won by exhibiting due diligence.

In times like these we need shining examples of inspired triumph in the face of adversity, and this collection of short stories are yours to revel and rectify ways to ease issues that may be definitive in helping rather than hurting. This is the benefit of the empathy that compelled me to put my feet in the shoes of the authors that bared their souls. If this is the mettle that Ms Gabrielle adheres to, then the subsequent books that will be part of her lore will give notice that she is a force to be reckoned with. Grab this book, read it, and know that there’s a silver lining behind every dark cloud! Kudos to you Elissa for bring this coterie of writers together to share what it means to do what it takes to be winners!

Change, Hope, and the Audacity to Run for President

Change is not something that people readily accept, and when it impacts on the top job in the nation, well, you’re only as effective as your last voting choice. How relevant is it to how the next president is chosen, then? For all practical purposes the world now knows who Barack Obama is, and his intent. Who would have thunk it to think that a man of color in such a short time has positioned himself to seek the top job of the land? Running on a platform of challenging change, he is doing much more than turning heads. Is it his year? Witness his winning a Grammy for his book, The Audacity of Hope. Give more meaning to him winning eight straight primaries along the way to a total of 21 states proves to some extent that his popularity is much more than a lark. People indeed, are clamoring for change and believe in his quest. Check out the opinion polls, talk shows, and political pundits who are steadily jumping on the band wagon. You will see much more than hope for those looking for perhaps a new lease on life. Changing allegiances to represent the wishes of constituency is another welcomed sign. Audacity in my opinion is a moot point when you have some willing to defy unprecedented gall.

In these un-united states, it’s surely an oxymoron that he purports to unify the nation and do away with status quo. How? Better yet, WHO is this guy with a name that eschews common wisdom in the naming rights of all mothers who endeavor to be different? In an earlier correspondence I asked the question: Is Amerikkka ready for a darker shade of pale in the White House? I will readily admit that in the last two presidential elections my vote was non-existent, and like everybody else I’m fed up with the Bushes. I surmise that this is the chance in history to have an African-American president. Am I remorseful for not adequately casting my lot at the time to make a difference as it pertain to race and ethnicity? I have mixed emotions, but I DO support the fact that change is inevitable and for the first time in quite a spell we have someone willing to bring it about. Voting just because a Black man is in the race is not all folly, especially if you have mindsets that feel that it would be just another ‘achievement’ to add to the coffers of Black history lore. We people of color need and should demand more than just rhetoric and technical jargon while you run for president, Barack Make it real for us and provide substance to the promises of change.

We all know how Bill Clinton charmed us for those 8 years he spent on Capitol Hill, now comes Hillary with a new set of initiatives and reasons attempting to sway constituency to her side. In another day and time, I certainly would vote for Hillary, but not this time. Nosiree! I want to see history made and with a viable agenda for Obama to come true and translucent. I opined in that earlier note that “it was always easy to stifle and' retard my vote in lieu of voting just because I was registered Democrat, and (it) was expected to do so unequivocally. Today is a new one, and I’m encouraging all young folk to support this beacon that wants to give light anew. Do it because you believe that he is the best choice to unify this nation. Along the way as I scrutinize this race in earnest, I've refrained apologetically to those that may have a different persuasion, but I want them (young folk) to understand the power of the polls. As I close Barack, you go on with your bad self – continue to have as much audacity as it takes to gain a good footing on the pedestals of preeminence. I salute you and will pray for your deliverance!

A Meaningful Contribution: A Tribute to Dr. Asa Hilliard III (1934-2007)

The African-American academic Diaspora has lost another giant. It doesn’t take much for me to give definition to the vast amount of content that has had meaning to our daily existence as people of color. In all of us we can usually finger a few that have contributed to your development in mind, body, and spirit. Asa Hilliard was one of those people for me. He was an educational psychologist and a leading proponent of Afrocentric studies in public schools. He died Aug. 13 in Egypt, where he was on an annual Africentric historical study tour with students. He had complications of malaria and died in Cairo. Since 1980, Dr. Hilliard had been the Fuller E. Callaway Professor of Urban Education at Georgia State University. He previously had spent 18 years on the faculty of San Francisco State University, where he became dean of education. I met him during his visits to Atlanta from California. I was an inquisitive student that wouldn’t take no for an answer and he was always there, diligently answering all of my questions.

In the span of a 50-year period, I’m sure I can come up with a few other names to add to a list of prominent people that have influenced me -- and my memory is long. There was the librarian during the adolescent years of my elementary education, Mrs. Kimbro, who first introduced me to the power of knowledge and all of the aspects of reading; and in Junior and Senior High School Henry Mott and Quentin North respectfully, gave lip service in ways where the chalkboard was rendered obsolete because they demanded absolute undivided attention, and expected application where needed. In the armed services no matter where I was stationed there always were distinguished officers that I gleaned valuable information from; but during my college years in Atlanta at Morehouse that was special. It was there that I first met Dr. Benjamin Mays, who at the time had already retired from the 'House, and had been elected president of the Atlanta Public Schools Board of Education, where he supervised the peaceful desegregation of Atlanta's public schools. He published two seminal autobiographies, Born to Rebel (1971), and Lord, the People Have Driven Me On (1981), of which I still consort to today.

But Asa Hilliard stood out. He truly exemplified a man among men and an erudite scholar to boot. When I was feeling sorry for myself, and exhibited little respect for the man I was destined to become, it was Asa who taught me what self-respect meant in an Afrocentric pedagogy; we fought tooth and nail against unequal treatment within the Georgia University system during sit-ins, where my fellow students including a young incorrigible Samuel L. Jackson acted out a part that would rival any of his movie trailers; it was Asa Hilliard who reined us in and gave us a methodology to fight the establishment better; and when I needed to see first hand how my ancestors lived, it was Asa Hilliard who organized one of the first Africentric tour of Egypt – I was one of many who benefited from that inaugural trip. Subsequently I was personally introduced to Molefi Asante (http://www.asante.net/biography.html) and many of the leading African American Studies scholars and members of the 1974 Morehouse Chapter of the National Council for Black Studies were able to embrace the philosophies of such activists as Maulana Karenga, James Stewart, Leonard Jeffries www.africawithin.com/jeffries/leonard_jeffries.htm and Wade Nobles. It was Asa Hilliard who instigated it all. Yes, meaningful content is being in the right place to be filled to the brim with knowledge that feed the soul to know who you are, where you come from, and where we as a united front should be going.

I was able to validate my meaningful content with what I learned by embracing and implementing a set of innovative training guides known as the "African-American Baseline Essays." (http://www.pps.k12.or.us/depts-c/mc-me/be-af-ss.pdf) The essays developed by educators in Portland, Ore., viewed ancient black Egypt as the birthplace of the philosophical, mathematical and scientific theories that formed civilization. And I used them as guidelines teaching and mentoring to youths through the years. Without Dr. Hilliard, these important educational tools wouldn’t be what they are to curricula nationwide in our school systems. His visits to South Florida in general, and to the Miami-Dade Public School System in particular should be assessed and appreciated with the utmost of pride as he helped generate change in how Black children looked at Black history.

My tribute to Dr. Asa Hilliard is a reminder that inherent knowledge should go much deeper for long lasting testaments in being educated the right way. And if I was allowed to lay on your tombstone these words -- "Mr. Hilliard, you left me much, and gave me more incentive than you’d ever know...the Lord called you home while you were doing what you did best. I will miss the southern comfort of your unique interpretive analysis in academia -- where you made African studies and minority achievement your chief concern during a long career as a writer, consultant and lecturer. Rest on my Brother, and know that you will be missed!"

Straight Talk - Brotha To Brotha

This is the first installment of a new feature called Straight Talk - Brotha To Brotha. One of the things I've always wanted to see not only in the literary world, but also in society, where the brothers would bond more and play the role of models for their communities. They tend to step warily and not reach out as much as they should. Albeit, the African American male writer though are bridging gaps and telling poignant stories in another medium to get the job done. Men has made gargantuan strides over the last 20 years and is now beginning to bear fruit. Still a female dominated litany, publishing houses are always looking for men who write and can emote. Nowadays, male themes are prevalent and the male point of view is all-important now that the urban fiction market is garnering story lines from da hood! I feel that strong characters should be the mantra for any writer to excel.

To illustrate this, my feature this month is none other than Vincent Alexandria, writer extraordinaire, and consumate businessman. Mr. Alexandria commands respect relative to his out going personality and penchant for a no nonsensical style, which has a way of reverberating to his books. His upcoming new release, BLACK RAIN is a long anticipated novel that will be one of the summer's best efforts. I spoke to him recently as he shared a few poignant questions about he and his work:

• In your opinion, what is the one crucial thing the publishing industry should do immediately concerning AA literature?

Give it the same exposure and payments they do their other authors with proper placement in all the bookstores. Don't put us in an African American section, but place us in our genre.

• It's an old saying that you won't get rich as an author, but what are the gems that you've gleaned from panning the industry?

I learned the business and the respect of my peers. I love to write and I only want to be remembered 50 to a hundred years from now for a great story. I do want to be very comfortable as far as the money goes. Being rich causes problems. Just pay off all my bills. That's my goal. (LOL)

• Who is the one author you admire(d) most, past or present?

Chester Himes. He died broke and did not get notoriety until he moved to Europe. He only got recognition as a genius in America once he died. I want my roses while I'm still alive. Donna Hill is my hero. She has written over 50 books and still writes for the love of it. She my friend and mentor and I respect her totally. She got me into the game. Walter Mosley is the reason I write mystery. He is a genius.

• What would you like to tell us about BLACK RAIN, your latest book?

It has to be one of my greatest books. I really had fun the entire writing process. My mom died before the book was published so that really bummed me out. But I know she is watching done on me saying. "Job well done."

• Let's talk about what has become your signature - The Brother 2 Brother Literary Symposium. What is its mission, and what do you envision for its future?

I envision a national tour and that we will affect literacy and be a asset in Black children graduating from high school and attending college. I want our community to be literate and dreams realized by all in our community. We promote reading and literacy and give away free books at the event. I'm looking forward to our Houston 5th Anniversary February 1-2, 2008.

• What does the future hold for Vincent Alexandria within the next 3-5 years?

I want to have at least two of my book into films and be co-directing the movie and co-producing and have at least 15 books to my title including my children books. I will be married to my girlfriend who is also an author and Brother 2 Brother Literary Symposium will be a nationally known event.

Romer, Where Have You Been?

Okay, go ahead and give it to me. It's been awhile since I bombarded you the usual wit, wisdom, and words from the Jackal! I humbly apologize, and hope that your seat on the bandwagon is still warm and comfy. I took a few minutes off to take care of pressing problems and issues that demanded my immediate attention. First though, I'm recuperating from back surgery...as a matter of fact, I spent the whole day on my birthday (July 30) flat on my back. No fun there. I experienced a new meaning of pain. I also was able to spend quality time with my family, and in he process rededicated my life to Christ! Oh what a marvelous feeling to be on the right side of the street!! I wasn't able to get any writing done, but a few manuscripts managed to find their way in my peripheral vision for editing. I submitted an essay to author, Vernice Berry's request for manuscripts for an anthology project, entitled "WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE: REFLECTIONS ON A HIGHER POWER." I'm really excited about this way beyond the fact that I'm a contributor. Just to be in the near vicinity and in the company of the other writers committed to this project is awesome and mind-boggling!

It is so important to take some time off for the family, in spite of the daily grind that life demands without time management procedures. I was without my 'puter for a couple of weeks, and I need not go into the angst that this rendered me. School is out, I have the grandkids jockeying for position, and it's hot as hell in paradise! Miami in the summer gives new meaning to sweat, South Beach notwithstanding. I'm back on track. The time spent off the pad gave me so much to think about, and themes to write on, including so many things to write and talk about that have happened in the world. The opinionated views of the Jackal are legendary, if not controversial at times! And you all know that I always have an opinion, right? I have missed writing but at the same time I feel refreshed with a new lease on life.

In the meantime the embattled (embittered?) Barry Bonds finally put the naysayers temporarily in place by surpassing Hank Aaron, but for how long? Conjecture and doubt alone will usurp his achievement with accusations of a tainted accomplishment. But what's the fuss?! Hell, people cheat every single day that the world turns for that extra-added advantage -- so go figure! Nevertheless, I'm still committed to writing my first book of fiction, as well as the first of three volumes of my essays, and a book of original poetry. Pray for me, and DO keep some of that midnight oil burning while I continue to give it to you -- Verbatim!