By Debra Hand Presented by Omni-U Virtual University A Jazz giant lives on. Thank you for your work, Geraldine Bey de Haas. Geraldine Bey de Haas was a tireless, life-long advocate, and activist who promoted, documented, and preserved America's National Treasure: the institution of Jazz. In 1981, she founded the non-for-profit organization, “Jazz Unites, Inc.” and, for more than thirty years -despite having lost her eye sight as the result of a stroke in 1999- she organized

By Dr. Gloria Latimore-Peace Presented by Omni-U Virtual University Let me admit, at the outset, that I love Ancestor Dr. Barbara A. Sizemore, Maa Kheru, with all my heart. From the very first moment I heard her speak, I bonded not only with her message, but with her spirit . In time, I was fortunate enough to become her student, in the Master's degree program at Northeastern Illinois University's Center for Inner City Studies[1] ,where I subsequently became a Faculty member

By Dr. Gloria Latimore-Peace Presented by Omni-U Dr. Yaounde Olu, Artist, Science Educator, and Astrologist;Mystic Wayne Sebamurti Gentry, Co-Founder of the Seba Im Aunk Foundation and author of, "The Nature of Intelligence: A Look Beyond Mere Thinking", and myself, Dr. Gloria Latimore-Peace came together to explore the concept of "intelligence,” which, like so many other abstractions expressed in the English language, is grossly misrepresented. "Intelligence," like "educa

By Dr. Gloria Latimore-Peace Presented by Omni-U Virtual University "I am because we are and because we are, therefore I am." John S. Mbiti, African Religions and Philosophy. At some time on your earthly sojourn, you are likely to have asked yourself- in reference to where you are at a particular point in "your" life- What am I doing here?" or "Why am I here?" It is also quite probable that you, too, have gone in search of the answer to these questions in order that you

By Jamila Barbara Onyeali Presented by Omni-U Virtual University We, the Bolozi Wazee Council of Elders Shule YaWatoto, have been truly honored to have received Baba Hannibal’s wise counsel and his unyielding leadership… He trained and enstooled each of us as Community Elders and gave African names to Mzees: Aminata Short, Amina Mayo, Kambon Johnson, Soyini Najwa, Kalonji Pates, Ayoka Sevanhu, Nantambu Johnson, and Koumba Johnson. He commissioned us to be guardians of the cul

By Asantewaa Oppong Wadie. Ed.D. Presented by Omni-U Virtual University Dr. Joyce E. King (2015) uses the term “psychic malaise” to describe the apathy and vague dissatisfaction that Black people experience when they realize that they do not truly belong in the mainstream culture, and that they are further not welcome or cared for in the general society. To address such mental distress, King offers the powerful, potent, and evocative re-telling and re-framing of Black Hist

By Hunter Havlin Adams,III Presented by Omni-U Virtual University Let America Be America Again Let America be the dream the dreamers dreamed— Let it be that great strong land of love Where never kings connive nor tyrants scheme That any man be crushed by one above (It never was America to me.) O, let my land be a land where Liberty Is crowned with no false patriotic wreath, But opportunity is real, and life is free, Equality is in the air we breathe. (There’s never been equa

By Dr. Gloria J. Latimore-Peace Presented by Omni-University "It takes a village to raise a child." African Proverb Exodus 20:12 (KJV) "Honor thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee." [1] In the foregoing scripture, we are admonished to "honor our mothers and our fathers that our days may be long…" Yet, here in America, only 2 out of 365/366 days- one for Mothers and one for Fathers- are set aside to "honor" them.

By Dr. Josef Ben Levi Presented by Omni-U Virtual University “Does not wisdom call? And understanding put forth her voice? These are the opening verses of the book of Proverbs, Chapter 8. The original name for the Book of Proverbs in Hebrew is (משלי), Mishali, i.e., “Examples.” Wisdom is calling out to the people to understand her- provided they meet her at the place of entry. What is unique about this text is that “wisdom” in Hebrew is a feminine verb, (חכמה), Khokmah. [1]

By Dr. Gloria J. Latimore-Peace Presented by Omni-U Virtual University Not so long ago, whenever we gathered, it was our practice to "pour libation" to the Ancestors* in remembrance of their vital roles in sustaining us throughout the "trials and tribulations" of life wherever we may have been in the diaspora. We believe it is also incumbent upon us to pay homage to our Elders who serve us in a similar capacity on this side of the veil. By raising the fundamental question,

By Gimbu Kali Presented by Omni-University "A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture are like a tree without roots." [Ancestor] The Honorable Marcus Mosiah Garvey. We begin Part Two of "Historical Amnesia, Falsified Consciousness and the Illusion of Inclusion" by reiterating the assertions that were made in Part One, i.e., "The effects of the prolonged psychological assault from which Black people in America suffer, are evidenced by the facts t

By Gimbu Kali Presented by Omni-University Virtual University "Up, you mighty race! Accomplish what you will.”The Honorable Marcus M. Garvey, Maa Kheru. Black people in America suffer from a three- pronged psychological assault that has left the vast and overwhelming majority of us virtually incapable of even thinking-much less acting- in our own collective best interests. historical amnesia, falsified consciousness, and the illusion of inclusion are its components: The effec

By Dr. Gloria J. Latimore-Peace Presented by Omni Virtual University "Music has always come to me as a gift... All I had to do was to pay attention." Oscar Brown, Jr. The legacy of Oscar Brown, Jr.,Maa Kheru a dear friend and brother-Libran -who was born October 10, 1926- is so monumental that an entire library complex would be insufficient to contain it. It is impossible to think of him as absent from Us because his presence- and variations thereof- continues to be experie

By Dr. Yaoundé Olu, PhD Presented by Omni-U Virtual University PRELIMINARY NOTES ABOUT GENDER Gender is the Seventh Hermetic Principle It is manifested in EVERYTHING. Masculine and Feminine principles are ever-present and active in all phases of phenomena on each and every plane of life. Gender in the Hermetic sense and Sex are not the same. The word Gender is derived from the Latin root meaning “to beget;” to procreate; to generate; to create; to produce. Sex, on the other

By Ancestor Useni Eugene Perkins, Maa Kheru Presented by Omni-U Virtual University Matthew 19:14 KJV But Jesus said, Suffer little children and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven. One Saturday morning, two men go downstream on a large river to fish. No sooner do they throw their lines into the water when they see a small child floating down the river. They quickly retrieve the child and begin fishing again. Moments later, another child com

By Wayne Sebamurti Presented by Omni-U Virtual University Everyone -without exception- will experience difficult times, hardships, failures, trials and tribulations. And, at some point in time to varying degrees, tension and stress will arise in our efforts to manage what can seem to be insurmountable problems. If levels of tension and stress reach a point where they become intolerable, we will inevitably turn toward something to provide us with some relief and give us stre

By AbdudDharr Abdullah Presented by Omni-U Virtual University " Children, I talks to God and God talks to me. I goes out and talks to God in de fields and in de woods. This morning, I was walking out and I got over de fence. I saw the wheat hold up its head looking very bare and looking very dead. I goes up and takes ahold of it. Can you believe it? There wasn't any wheat 'dere! Din I says, "God, What ails dis wheat?" And he says to me, "Sojourner, There's a little weev

By Dr. Gloria J. Latimore-Peace Presented by Omni-Virtual University " I have drunk deeply of late from the fountain of my black culture I have sat at the knee of and learned from Mother Africa I have discovered the truth of my heritage The truth that has been so often obscured and omitted …." Dr. Margaret Taylor Goss Burroughs[1] This H3O Art of Life Blog represents another effort to demonstrate my reverence for the "Mother of Black History", Dr. Margaret Taylo

By Nzingha Nommo* Presented by Omni-University Bold, Beautiful, Black women are the Mothers of Civilization. They inspire, guide, nurture, and support us in ways seen and unseen. This curated Chicago collection of Black Women in History is a mix of contemporary and historical figures who have shaped our lives that we can reference for clear examples of those who dared to make a difference through their works. Since I was born and raised in Chicago, this list is near and dear

By AbdudDharr Abdullah Presented by Omni-University Ancestor Marion Nzinga Stamps, [Maa Kheru],was born in Jackson Mississippi. She became involved with the civil rights movement at the age of 13 under the guidance and direction of her former neighbor, famed civil rights activist, Medgar Evers . Marion moved to Chicago in 1963 and quickly became involved in the local civil rights movement. She moved into the Cabrini-Green Housing project at 1230 North Burling Avenue where sh