As a poet, speaker, journalist, and event host Amena Brown’s words excite, ignite and inspire. Whether in front of audiences as intimate as 50 or as sprawling as 20,000, she has something to say that matters.

The author of a chapbook and two spoken word CDs, Amena has performed and spoken in over 25 cities for over 120,000 people including the RightNow Conference, Thirsty Conference, Youth Specialties Conference, Catalyst Conference, Atlantis Music Conference, and the 2008 National Poetry Slam Competition. She hosts a regular open mic in Atlanta every fifth Thursday at Urban Grind Coffee as well as hosting other poetry and music events.

Along with her spoken word recordings, Amena has participated in numerous professional and live recordings including the Caring Communities documentary, 97.1 JAMZ spoken word ads and a collection of video poems. She also hosts poetry and music events

As a freelance journalist Amena has been published in Southeast Performer Magazine, Charlotte Creative Loafing, Atlanta Creative Loafing, and Atlanta INtown Newspaper. She also speaks at conferences and events for high school students, college students, young adults and women, where she has facilitated several workshops and breakout sessions on creativity, singleness, writing, and building artistic community.

As a part of a generation that is searching for the real and the genuine in an age of constant carbon copy, Amena is both regal and dramatic in her creative interpretation on the stage, and in her candid and expressive conversation one on one. This nonconformist lends her voice to finding inspiration, truth, and purpose and encourages those she encounters to do the same.

Kimberly Womble
Manager to Amena Brown
678.508.7297
www.myspace.com/amenabrown
www.twitter.com/amenabee
www.facebook.com/amenabrown

Links

N. Xavier Arnold
Real World Investing

The Best Real Estate Investing Method…Ever! (Book)

Kathryn Hall-Trujillo

Birthing Project U.S.A.
Dr. Miracle’s Supports Birthing Project USA

Amena Brown

MySpace Page
Faceook Page
Twitter
Blogspot

Michaela will be moderating the following venue at the New York Open Center

New York Open Center Presents:

From Hottentot Venus to the White House:

Black Women on Beauty and Bodies

Who:

Michaela Angela Davis, cultural critic and writer; supermodel Veronica Webb; Tricia Rose, professor and chair, Africana Studies Department, Brown University; and Susan Akkad, senior vice president, Corporate Marketing, Diversity, Estée Lauder Companies Inc.

What:

A special event and book signing

When:

Saturday, October 24

2:00 – 5:00 pm

Where:
Community Church of New York

40 East 35th Street

Between Madison and Park Avenues

New York City

Details: Rapid-fire change is happening, and the perception of Black women is transforming from the negative images historically portrayed in the media to well-respected style and cultural icons such as Michelle Obama and Oprah. The New York Open Center presents a special event with leading industry insiders and image-makers including Michaela Angela Davis Veronica Webb, Tricia Rose and Susan Akkad. Their provocative and honest conversation will explore the complicated issue of beauty within Black communities including: the politics of complexion and hair; the underexposure of black models within the fashion industry; who controls the image of black women in major media; and other relevant, timely topics.

Fee: $20 (No Member Discount); For more information visit http://www.opencenter.org/from-hottentot-venus-to-the-white-house-black-women-on-beauty-and-bodies/

For more information or to schedule an interview, please contact Abby Berman at 646.695.7043 or abby@rosengrouppr.com.

I also talk with Adweek’s Editor-at-Large, Noreen O’Leary. She recently wrote an article explaining how proposed taxes will have an adverse effect on both the marketing industry and some of the basic products we buy.

And finially, I chat with acclaimed author and Atlanta native, Ms. Tracie Howard. We talked about the very heated mayoral race in Atlanta, Georgia and what it means for Black women in that city.

This show you don’t want to miss.

Show notes

Barack Like Me
The Chocolate-Covered Truth (Simon @ Schuster)
[Link]
Amazon.com

Adweek Editor-at-Large Noreen O’Leary

Marketers Fight the D.C. Squeeze
They’ve beaten back an activist Congress — for now
AdWeek.com [Link]

Tracie Howard
Quoted in the AJC article “Atlanta’s black women voters in play”
Tracie’s webpage:
www.traciehoward.com

History Break

Manning Johnson

My Podcast Alley feed! {pca-ec70aa2284f1dc754aa4e1cfa2aa17d5}

Also, I’ll be giving a quick update and overview on blackinformant.com. I have gained a lot of new subscribers over the last few months and I want to make sure you guys get a warm introduction.

Show notes

Cynthia McCloud’s website: www.cynthiafights.com

From womenshealth.gov

What is lupus?

Lupus (LOO-puhss) is a chronic, autoimmune (aw-toh-ih-MYOON) disease that can damage any part of the body (skin, joints, and/or organs inside the body). Chronic means that the signs and symptoms tend to last longer than six weeks and often for many years. In lupus, something goes wrong with your immune system, which is the part of the body that fights off viruses, bacteria, and other germs (“foreign invaders,” like the flu). Normally our immune system produces proteins called antibodies that protect the body from these invaders. Autoimmune means your immune system cannot tell the difference between these foreign invaders and your body’s healthy tissues (“auto” means “self”). In lupus, your immune system creates autoantibodies  (AW-toh-AN-teye-bah-deez), which attack and destroy healthy tissue. These autoantibodies cause inflammation, pain, and damage in various parts of the body.

When people talk about “lupus,” they usually mean systemic lupus erythematosus (ur-uh-thee-muh-TOH-suhss), or SLE. This is the most common type of lupus. Studies suggest that more than 16,000 new cases are reported annually across the country. Although lupus can affect almost any organ system, the disease, for most people, affects only a few parts of the body. For example, one person with lupus may have swollen knees and fever. Another person may be tired all the time or have kidney trouble. Someone else may have rashes.

Normally, lupus develops slowly, with symptoms that come and go. Women who get lupus most often develop symptoms and are diagnosed between the ages of 15 and 45. But the disease also can develop in childhood or later in life. For most people, lupus is a mild disease. But for others, it may cause serious problems. Even if your lupus symptoms are mild, it is a serious disease that needs treatment. It can harm your organs and put your life at risk if untreated. Lupus & African Americans (blackdoctor.org)

“JANKS MORTON is a groundbreaking international and award winning Documentarian and Social-Political Activist. He has been in the entertainment industry for more than 20 years and is a much sought-after teacher, lecturer, commentator and motivational speaker. He has convened workshops, seminars and served as panelist and keynote speaker at colleges, universities, prisons, conferences, churches and community centers around the world.”

Documentary that explores some of the complexities of the Black male experience in America. This is Tavis Smiley’s first film which features Dick Gregory, Michael Eric Dyson, Cornell West, Cliff West, Eddie Glaude, Bebe Winans, Wren T. Brown, Daron Boyce, Robert Smith and Raymond Ross.

Runtime: 90 minutes Airing date: Sunday, May 24 from 9-11 PM on TV One

Homepage: Standthemovie.com

by D.S. Brayboy

(Blackinformant.com) Some of the most sacred moments in the life of a Black man in America are spent at the local barbershop. There, you hear about the daily experiences of men from all different backgrounds. A song comes on the radio and in an instant, the conversation switches from politics to jams back in the day. It’s a place where ideas are exchanged; heated debate is rendered; hilarious conversation is prevalent; and a remembrance of the good ol’ days reigns supreme. Tavis Smiley was able to capture all of that in his first film, STAND. In this film, Tavis invited 10 of his closest friends (whom he affectionately calls his ‘Soul Patrol’) on a journey that took them throughout Memphis and Nashville during the summer of 2008. While they spent time reflecting on the rise of our nation’s first Black President, Barack Obama, they put into context the history that has led us to this point in time. This film is a breakaway from the format many of us are accustomed to seeing from Tavis. In his ‘State of the Black Union’ gatherings where panelists are in a more formal setting. In STAND, you have 10 brothas on a bus, being followed by camera from one destination to another as they tackle topics such as religion, music, the portrayal of Black men in the media and more. Stops on their bus tour include the home of Sam Moore of the the singing duo “Sam and Dave”, Fisk University, Mason Temple (the church in Memphis where MLK delivered his ‘I’ve Been to the Mountaintop’ speech). They wrapped up their journey at the Lorraine Motel (where MLK was shot).

I was very intrigued by the conversation on religion between professor/author Michael Eric Dyson, actor Wren T. Brown and professor/author Eddie Glaude. This was an intense conversation where the brothas asked each other tough questions and agreed to disagree. Later in the film, these same men were crying on each other’s shoulders and praying for one another.

Perhaps the most powerful moment in this film was when comedian/activist Dick Gregory shared his memories of personal experiences with Martin Luther King Jr. on the night before he died. He also talked about the strength of the Black church and what it meant for him personally. STAND serves as yet another example of how Tavis can bring people of all backgrounds together to discuss some of the most pressing issues facing the Black community. I believe viewers will walk away both challenged and inspired to do what so many in our history have done for us: take a STAND.

Since then, she has had the opportunity to work with many of the music industry’s elite. Recently, she has cultivated her production and mixing capabilities working as her own engineer. Now, Casuell holds a number of skills including singer, songwriter, vocal arranger, producer and engineer. She has opened up for such artists as Brandy, Outkast, Eric Roberson, Dwele, Cameo, Groove Theory, Freddy Jackson, Laura Hayes (comedian of BET Comic View) and many more. She has written for A-list producers such as Sean Puffy Combs, Teddy Riley and Red Spyda to name a few. Casuell’s neo-soul style and jazzy overtones make it easy to relax and welcome the harmonious melodies she strategically places in every beautiful composition. She’s the new breed of soul, the new essence of smooth and the new sound of southern soul. Are you ready for the smooth sultry sounds of the newest member of the neo-jazz movement?

The soon to be released single, “Wherever You Are” is a hit with Neo-soul and R&B enthusiasts alike. Her debut album, “Chocolate Covered Soul” encompasses an extraordinary list of contralto overtones and unique melodies to comprise an exceptional masterpiece of Soul, R&B, Jazz and Hip-Hop with a touch of Gospel. She has fused all of her distinctive talents to present a rare brand of music to the starving ears of an audience that appreciates real music and real music is who she is. She has been compared to the likes of India Arie, Lalah Hathaway and Anita Baker, yet she has a style all her own. She is Casuell.

My Goals: To humble myself before the world with a lyric and a song to move the hearts of man.

For Booking Info: Angel Lucas for DigitalSoulMusic LLC 678-405-9052 or

Diara Watkins 706-231-3063 Email: casuell@hotmail.com.

For Production Info: DigitalSoulMusic, Group L.L.C. 289 Jonesboro Rd Ste 335 McDonough, Ga. 30253 Voice: 678-405-9052