Discover a Cool Blog - #2

Son of Baldwin

Son of Baldwin

The literary, socio-political, sexual, pop culture blog. Live from Bedford-Stuyvesant.

Nobody Knows My Name
Writer, Thinker, Iconoclast, Polemicist, Non-conformist, Provocateur, Citizen, Geek; Admirer of Morrison, Son of Baldwin! (Son of Baldwin photo by Keith Zackowitz and Son of Baldwin).

"I don't like people who like me because I'm a Negro; neither do I like people who find in the same accident grounds for contempt. I love America more than any other country in the world, and, exactly for this reason, I insist on the right to criticize her perpetually. I think all theories are suspect, that the finest principles may have to be modified, or may even be pulverized by the demands of life, and that one must find, therefore, one's own moral center and move through the world hoping that this center will guide one aright. I consider that I have many responsibilities, but none greater than this: to last, as Hemingway says, and get my work done. I want to be an honest man and a good writer." - -James Baldwin

Arts.Advocacy+Wellness: "Love is..."

“…a combination of care, knowledge, responsibility, respect, trust, commitment.”
-bell hooks

Love is….

Love is…
Self, within, one, communal.
A mystery, unknown, hidden.
What one makes of it
Or how one defines it for self.
Love is peaceful. Not oppressive.
Supportive

Or

Is it just a word that we place too much attachment to?
Is it a feeling that we give too much power?
Is it a chase for a feeling so close but so far away from us…like a dog chasing his tail
That he’ll never capture?

Love is...complex.

Love is all these things
That’s why we love and never give up on love
The constant search, renewing, redefining…

Love is…

“Love takes off the masks that we fear we cannot live without and know we cannot live within.”

-James Baldwin

“…love does not bring an end to difficulties, it gives us the strength to cope with difficulties in a constructive way…”

-bell hooks

And what is Love for you?

The Greatest Gift of All

I am asked all the time, Lil Mogul, give me one piece of advice which you think every entrepreneur must have or do to be successful. To me the answer is very clear, FIND a mentor and/or mentors. Business and Life Mentors are trusted friends, counselors or teachers, usually a more experienced person in a specialized field. Some professions have "mentoring programs" in which newcomers are paired with more experienced people, who advise them and serve as examples as they advance. As an entrepreneur, you must seek out that special person and/or people who will provide expertise to assist you in advancing your business choices, enhancing your education, and building your networks. I have personally benefited from being a part of a mentoring relationship in many different arenas of the business.

I was introduced to entrepreneurship at an early age by my parents as well as aunts and uncles. I watched, listened and learned how my family ran a venture capital fund, a construction company, a paper cup factory, a mini supermarket, an aluminum foundry and a business consulting firm. My Dad, Lil Mogul Sr. is my go to business mentor. He is my biggest cheerleader. Charles Kelly is my business and life mentor. He tells me what I need to hear. I have a number of mentors that I don’t talk with everyday; but, I watch and try to emulate because I look up to them and respect their position.

On Sunday, August 2, 2009, George Faison, Founder/Artistic Director of Harlem’s new Faison Firehouse Theater and Tad Schnugg, Co Founder of the Faison Firehouse Theater created and hosted the Special Event celebrating the 85th birthday of one of America’s most celebrated author James Baldwin. The standing room only event was not only attended by family and friends of James Baldwin; but also by, people of the literary, performing arts and entertainment communities that were influenced by him. As you know my concentration and interest in business are fashion, beauty and entertainment. Not only do I look up to both George and Tad as entrepreneurs, producers, teachers and my mentors but their large network of associates too.

Such honored speakers that shared part of their late afternoon on Sunday at the Firehouse were: Playwright/Poet, Amiri Baraka; Award Winning Poet, Sonia Sanchez; Editor-at-Large of Vogue Magazine, Andre Leon Talley; Nephew of Mr. Baldwin, Trevor Baldwin, Sister-In-Law of Mr. Baldwin, Helen Baldwin; Protégé, Alexa Birdsong, Historian & Writer, Herb Boyd; Musician & Singer, Genovis Albright and Chair, English Dept. Howard University, Eleanor Traylor.

“… we are preparing the next generations of leaders here in Harlem.” says, Faison.

After the event, I walked home and reflected on my mentors and what they all mean to me. I look at myself an entrepreneur living in Harlem who is a creative businessman, producer, manager, leader and a mentor that enjoys living this exciting career path. I can’t thank all of mentors enough. So, I ask you, who is your mentor and/or mentors?

All Photos Courtesy of Dex Star G. The Peoples Photographer

James Baldwin - 85 Years

AWARD WINNING WRITER, POET, POLITICAL ACTIVIST JAMES BALDWIN WILL BE CELEBRATED BY FAMILY AND FRIENDS ON THIS 85TH BIRTHDAY. HOSTED BY HARLEM’S NEW THEATRE COMPANY FAISON FIREHOUSE THEATRE

George Faison, Founder/Artistic Director of Harlem’s new Faison Firehouse Theater will present a Special Event celebrating the 85th birthday of one of America’s most celebrated author James Baldwin. Mr. Baldwin was born in Harlem in 1924 and is noted for his novels on sexual and personal identity, and sharp essays on civil rights struggles in the United States. He wrote 3 plays, a children’s story book and a book of short stories. He gained fame with his first novel GO TELL IT ON THE MOUNTAIN and other celebrated works include: Giovanni’s Room, The Fire Next Times, Notes on a Native Sun, Blues for Mr. Charlie and Nobody Knows My Name.



SUNDAY, AUGUST 2, 2009 AT 5:00 PM

THE FAISON FIREHOUSE THEATRE
6 HANCOCK PLACE
124TH STREET between Morningside &
St. Nicholas Avenue in Harlem, 10027

Come celebrate with friends and family the wonderful history and, memories of Harlem’s own James Baldwin. Discover a man that encouraged us all.

IN ATTENDANCE
AMIRI BARAKA- PLAYWRIGHT/POET
SONIA SANCHEZ- AWARD- WINNING POET
GEORGE FAISON- TONY AWARD WINNING CHOREOGRAPHER
TREVOR BALDWIN- NEPHEW OF JAMES BALDWIN
HELEN BALDWIN- SISTER-IN LAW OF JAMES BALDWIN
ALEXA BIRDSONG- PROTÉGÉ
HERB BOYD- HISTORIAN & WRITER
ELEANOR TRAYLOR- CHAIR, ENGLISH DEPT. HOWARD UNIVERSITY
GENOVIS ALBRIGHT- MUSICIAN/SINGER

Seats are limited - Tickets are available in advance Box Office #: 212-665-7716