We are needed

I realized how desperately this documentary is needed, I did a little test. I posted on facebook a picture of Mahalia Jackson. I asked people to name her, one guy said Millie Jackson and a few folks knew the face but couldn't think of the name. Finally a woman posted Mahalia Jackson, I was happy to know someone knew who she was. The young man posted in return she was before his time and I responded she was before mine to. I think some of us take for granted what we know about Black History.
Shortly after that I posted a picture Cesar Chavez and shortly afterwards someone posted his name.  That was good to see that we do have folks that know their history, but an overwhelming amount that do not.

Though this was only a test on Facebook, it is a reality that many grown folk may not even know the men on the flyer.  I know it is critical that we know who these people are that are still living and even when they are gone. History plays an important role in our lives and much of our history has been erased or not even documented.  We have people today walking around aimlessly not knowing who they are or where they come from.  It is my agenda to reach out educate and inspire folks on people who have made it their life to educate, fight for justice or just inspire folks through their poetry.

It may be a long journey but the road is clear that history had been made.  We must all learn the history of our culture so we can pass it to generations to come. If you believe in what I am saying is true please feel free to support our campaign to raise money for this film series. 

Baba Wesley, Ancestrial Drummer (Performing @ both events)

We will be having two fundraisers in New York City this December. We cordially invite you to come share with us the spirit of the remarkable legends. Come see the artists that have come together to support this campaign .

Wednesday, December 19, 2012 @ 

The Nuyorican Poets Cafe at 7 - 9 p.m.

Thursday, December 20, 2012 @ 

The National Black Theater at 8 - 10 p.m.

Submitting for a Fiscal Sponsor

Today we submitted our paperwork for a fiscal sponsor to Fractured Atlas.  

Funny thing is a guy on 125th street Starbucks told us about the organization. It's crazy how you hear about things in a coffee shop, the way the guy talked about it was amazing. Not sure if the guy was an artist and had a great experience but needless to say I think we made the right choice over Women Make Movies.

I am not sure how long it will take them but hopefully it will be in time for our fundraiser. Now have to work on proposal to National Black Consortium and get a press release out by next week.

We haven't started putting together a work-in-progress video yet, still have to finish the Administrative agenda with posters. Once I have that in the can we are ready to get editing what we have already and make a nice trailer.

Keeping everyone posted on our progress as we keep our dream and passion to deliver a documentary series that will change the way African & Latino heritage and make it not just history but with a purpose.

We look forward to making this film come to fruition.

Living Legendz Crew!

December 20th

Designed by Gerry Hunt

We encourage you to get your tickets in advance online 

Thursday, December 20th, 2012

Living Legendz Film Fundraiser

Please join us as we raise money for the documentary series, directed by Nicholle La Vann.

The documentary series will feature Abiodun Oyewole, from the Last Poets, Dr. Leonard Jeffries retired professor of Africana Studies with City University of New York and Jamal Joseph from the Panther 21, author of Panther Baby.

Come join us as artist sponsor the event with talent such as 

Performance Poet 

NGOMA

Spoken Word

Eluhim B. Siddha

Lots of work ahead

"Living Legendz" is a film series of documentaries that explores the lives of African & Latino people who have made contributions to their culture and society which are rarely heard about in mainstream media. Producing autobiographical video essays will encourage students and professors alike the appreciation of history on a new media platform.  

We are in the process of picking a fiscal sponsor for our film series. It looks like Fractured Atlas may be the winner of this because they have a faster turn around then Women Make Movies.  I also have an issue with Women Make Movies because I can remember a while ago while in graduate school how they gave a scholarship to another student in our program that cut corners and hired a professional to shoot her film.  The graduate program at CUNY made the student not graduate when we did, she just walked the stage due she had a lot of time off.  But for WMM to know what she did and still keep the money speaks in volumes to me.  So therefore I am going with Fractured Atlas and see how they work as our fiscal sponsor.  

Ander Kazmerski has come on board as our producer. He use to work with MTV and I believe he is going to make waves in getting this production on it's feet.  Sent him the proposal and he is now working on tightening it up so that Fractured Atlas can review our project.  Working with Dustin McShane as the Editor is going to be awesome he is so skilled at editing and in Premier so that is a plus.  Arzouma Aimé KOMPAORE our graphic designer is awesome he made the poster for the project.  He will also be adding some animation to the project where needed. I want to  give  special thanks to my Sun, Pierre for taking the picture of me it really worked with well on the flyer.

Hopefully we should have the proposal to Fractured Atlas up and ready to go by next week.  It looks like we may have to up the price of the tickets if we go with the fiscal sponsor for obvious reasons they are going to want their percent.  I am sure that will not deter people from coming to the event.

Filmstress...