Category: Lifestyle

Culturally Connecting with the Puerto Rican Cultural Center on Art Therapy

Community, Culture News, Lifestyle, Personal Perspectives, Scholarly Works, Travel, What's Good?

Chicago, IL-In a Garden across the street from the Puerto Rican Cultural Center, hosted by Zaire, we gathered in the name of love, culture, and therapy. As modern-day social workers, we must have our work-life balance because we’re out here during the year combating crisis in our communities’ culture and helping to shape the new world into a better place.

I received an invite from an associate who also happens to be a close friend of mine earlier this week, and I was happy to attend and network even though it was a brief session. That’s really all you need for painting or any form of therapy.

The setup for our art tables.
Photo credit: Zaire
Full view of setup in the garden space.
Photo credit: Zaire
Painting with friends and family of The Puerto Rican Cultural Center
Photo Credit: Zaire
Friends and family of The Puerto Rican Cultural Center
Photo Credit: Zaire

Art Therapy

Art therapy is significant for several reasons. It provides a creative outlet for individuals to express themselves, explore their emotions, and process trauma or stress in a non-verbal way. It can help improve mental health by fostering self-awareness, reducing anxiety, and enhancing overall well-being. Additionally, it can aid in communication, especially for those who find it challenging to express their feelings verbally. Overall, art therapy offers a unique approach to healing and self-discovery.

Healing Creativity and Working Through Emotions of Grief

Art therapy can be particularly beneficial for individuals who are grieving because it provides a safe space to express complex emotions that may be difficult to articulate verbally. Through various artistic mediums such as painting, drawing, or sculpture, individuals can externalize their feelings of loss, sadness, anger, or confusion.

Engaging in the creative process allows them to explore and make sense of their grief journey at their own pace. Creating art can also serve as a distraction from overwhelming emotions and provide a sense of control during a time of upheaval.

Furthermore, art therapy encourages reflection and introspection, helping individuals gain insight into their grief experiences and find meaning in their loss. Group art therapy sessions can also offer a supportive environment where participants can connect with others who are going through similar experiences, fostering a sense of community and validation.

Overall, art therapy can facilitate the grieving process by promoting emotional expression, coping skills, and a sense of healing and renewal.

Embracing a New Chapter: My Journey with Illinois School District 163 as a Communications Specialist

Culture News, Economics, Lifestyle, Scholarly Works
Photojournalist: TSA Media @ Tim Streetz Winter Solstice Release Party

Dear School District 163 Community,

I am thrilled to embark on a new chapter of my professional journey as the Communications Specialist for School District 163 handling all your public relations & communications needs. From the moment I stepped foot into our vibrant community, I knew that I was stepping into a world of boundless possibilities, where every interaction, every conversation, and every connection has the power to make a difference.

Joining School District 163 fills me with an overwhelming sense of excitement and purpose. As someone deeply passionate about effective communication and community engagement as a social scientist, engineer, and entrepreneur, I am eager to leverage my skills and experience to serve our district and support its mission of academic excellence and student success.

Communication is at the heart of everything we do, and I am committed to ensuring that our voices are heard, our stories are shared, and our community is united. Whether it’s through crafting engaging content, managing our digital platforms, or collaborating with stakeholders, I am dedicated to fostering open, transparent, and meaningful communication across all levels of our organization.

But beyond the day-to-day tasks and responsibilities, what truly excites me is the opportunity to be of service to each and every member of our district. Whether you’re a teacher, a parent, a student, or a community member, know that my door is always open, and my ears are always ready to listen. Your ideas, your feedback, and your concerns matter, and I am here to support you in any way I can.

As we embark on this journey together, I am filled with hope, optimism, and a deep sense of gratitude for the opportunity to serve such a dynamic and diverse community. Together, let us embrace the challenges, celebrate the successes, and continue to build a brighter future for School District 163.

I look forward to getting to know each of you, learning from your experiences, and working together to make our district the best it can be. Together, we are stronger, together, we can achieve greatness.

Below is some general information on my system and ways that we can collaborate.

Thank you for welcoming me with open arms, and I am honored to be a part of this incredible community.

Gratitude,

BK
Communications Specialist

@Rome_Streetz “Kiss The Ring” Tour 2023 w/ @DefSoulja @VicSpencer #StoveGodCooks @easyohare_& @ChynaStreetz

Culture News, Economics, Entertainment, Hip Hop, Culture, and Political Tricks, Lifestyle

Chicago-March 23 at The Promontory with Covert Operations and their sponsors, Griselda Records ⚖️ (Belaire and Moors Beer), a dope concert of real hip hop with quality was live. I enjoyed every artist not even knowing who one of them was. I was delighted to purchase one of those dope ass t-shirts from Rome Streetz, and have my poster signed by him.

It was great discovering a new female artist Chyna Streetz, who actually has some substance and a relatable personality with her music. That Stove God Cooks, my my my was the storytelling, lyricism, and d-boy style authentically giving. Every artist seemingly complimented each other but they each brought something different. I look forward to learning more about each artist as I follow their journeys, seeing what I can dig up from recent and old projects.

My shirt 👚 , Poster, CD 💿 (found it walking 🚶🏽‍♀️ out the joint), Kiss 💋 the Ring 💍 Jar 🫙 of 💨 🍃

Them gift 🎁 bags 💼 was clutch. Great marketing and advertising, keeps me going in the direction of keeping a beat on for the streets to know the next time any one of the honorable mentions are live or pushing P.

P is for Product or a Product-Service you need.

My Homies Brother and I at Kiss 💋 The Ring 💍 Tour

The Nia (Purpose) of Spirituality, Family, and Culture, Finding Your Essence and Unique Self Purpose in Humanity, connect Kuumba (Creativity) with Imani (Faith)

Community, Culture News, Inspiration, Lifestyle

Now that the celebration 🍾 of the Fiscal New Year has ended, and all of the confusing pagan traditions are over we can focus 🧘🏽‍♀️ on new ways of celebrating 🥳, thinking 💭, and doing things.

Connecting throughout the diaspora is the most important and difficult thing to do for us, aboriginal communities and people.

The current evolution of culture is setting us up to practice discernment and understanding the truth of what it means to be human. It’s a time to remember who we are and the structure of the universe and natural world order. Especially when we’re at risk of being replaced with technology. The key to life now is standardization of traditional values and media. When I say media, I am referring to mediums used to share cultural, governing, and economic values.

I’m grounding myself in purpose with intentions and discipline to show up everywhere my presence is accepted, invited, and decided to go with purpose. Making sure I am places where I don’t have to chip off a piece of myself but where I learn something that shines and discovers parts of who I am. Still replacing old habits with new ones as I transit through cycles.

I’m directing very specific emotions and using art to create and share those perspectives, connections, and values in experiences.

Ujamma: Cooperative Economics by building and maintaining our own stores 🏬, shops 🏬, and other businesses, and profit from them together

Baba Kelan Phil Cohran
Credit: Phil Cohran dot com

Yesterday I was honored to attend “Music Maestro Please” a Documentary Screening about ancestor KELAN PHIL COHRAN directed and produced by Robert Lott, M Cochran, Dwight McFarland Bey, and Stephen “Kwesi” Mack, hosted by YogaSkills Kemetic Studio, with performances by Chicago artist inspired by ancestor Kelan Phil Cohran.

I’m working on having another screening for the documentary and a discussion in partnership with YogaSkills and the Producers. Let’s see what happens soon 🔜.

Proclamation from and by The State of Illinois Celebrating 🥳 the Life of Honorable Master Teacher Genius Musician Baba Kelan Phil Cohran

The Honorable Kelan Phil Cohran

Ujima: Collective Work and Responsibility Reflection

UIJIMMA was celebrated with Community Partner Taize Williams, and we’re working on a follow up event to keep the principle’s in circulation.

Themes and resources for 2023

Let it go, and still manifest that 💩 shit.
Don’t sink the ship 🚢 not applying what has already been taught to you.
Addressing the Light 💡 and Darkness 😈

Striving for and Maintaining Unity in the Family, Nation, and Race of Humanity, Kujichagulia (Self-Determination)

Community, Culture News, Heritage-History, Inspiration, Lifestyle, Personal Perspectives

Habari Gani Family

It’s day 2 of Kwanzaa and we’re moving in a better direction for Umoja (Unity) and Kujichagulia (Self-Determinatiton). I know I am. Since the new moon in Capricorn I’ve just been on some new news. I respect the perspectives and opinions of others but they do not have to define who I am nor do their realization or acceptance of the meaning of a word or how they think a story should be told. I’ve learned to save space to share their ideas too. It doesn’t make anything right or wrong but the main goal is, to tell the truth. All people can live by the principles of Kwanzaa which is what I love ❤️ and we can build on this foundation to create a better condition because life isn’t a joke right now, and we need to consider building community as serious business. We can’t talk about reparations without repatriation and building for ourselves. I’m not failing to tell the story the way it should be. I honor my ancestors and want to create relationships that represent the truth of power and true power. We will unite politically, culturally, and economically.

Credit: Cecile Johnson
Credit: Cecile Johnson, CEO & Founder of The African Development Plan

We are celebrating the present, our future, and the past in merriment. We’re on the road to decolonization and self-determination as a family, nation, and people. It’s a great time to be living and practicing Sankofa. The path to self-determination has to be a true, consistent, and persistent one. It can’t just be doing festive times or when one is being killed in the streets or harassed by the police or even lied to by politicians and the governments. It must be and will be a way of life and come about during reflection of who we, who’s we are, and where we are to know what our path to development looks like. We’re more than entertainers, athletes, influencers, workers, and blacks or whatever you subscribe to. We are living beings having a human experience and we’re here to develop humanity’s consciousness.

We’re Growing Through Genocide

Credit: Cecile Johnson

Fetch What is at Risk of Being Left Behind

Sankofa is learning from the past, not forgetting our history and heritage. We have to communicate with each other what we know, our perspectives, and our insights. To inform the present and the future we must know the past truths, lies, and reality. My history and heritage has a large chunk of slavery, war, and people being misnomered. I will not turn the cheek to that nor act like it’s not part of what I have inherited as a descendant of my ancestors and elders. It will not be lost nor forgotten but used to determine solutions to problems and evolve our way of life. We are aborigines and we need to determine our status and stand on our rights. We must fetch what is at risk of being lost and asking questions not only to get answers but to remedy them. There’s always new learning as we move and discover what was left behind.

My Stance

I’m riding with mine, my people, and urbanely correcting what is wrong or misunderstood. I am not asking for permission to support anyone who may be taking their stance when it relates to who we are as a people that seem to be nationless when we are not. I am claiming my identity and inserting it. It’s not up for debate or to be questioned. I am lessening distractions and moving in truth while I’m here on earth.

I’m working on a level of diplomacy where I can accept the perspectives, opinions, and insights of others without allowing them to change who I am, how I’ve chosen to self-identify and determine how I express myself, I will not come off my throne to please others nor demean them for how they choose to see things. That is the true power of self-determination when acting based on ethics, ethnicity, and value.

Same time this shit is bigger than me. It’s bigger than you, it’s bigger than us but it’s us against everybody if I choose. And I choose.

Credit: Cecile Johnson

Remember and be encouraged that we are one people

Cecile Johnson

The Future of Race, Finance, and the Future of Digital Slavery: Every Entrepreneur, Business Owner, and Active Citizen (or Un-active) Should Watch and Share

Community, Culture News, Economics, Lifestyle, Market Watch, Political Perspectives, Scholarly Works, What's Good?

I appreciate Zakiya and her work as a press person and educator, using her space to inform ones who may not be aware of what is happening around them. This presentation is just about 3 hours long but it’s worth the watch. If you can watch a movie that’s just as long or participate in any other media activity, you can watch this shit because your life depends on it. I’ll be back to update this post later and add another supporting piece of research to add to your collection of knowledge.

Feel free to drop a comment, contact me, or hit me up on one of my accounts to share your thoughts on this information. Critical autonomy is key.

Other Supporting Videos

This artifact speaks about Block-chain & Cryptocurrencies, and what that means for you.
Catherine Austin Fitts fills us in on technocracy and their real estate acquisition
Russel Brand shares some commentary and artifacts of us possibly being transitioned to a surveillance state of being and living.

Working From the Inside Out: Triple B Challenge with Order of Ascension Crew

Community, Culture News, Health and Wellness, Inspiration, Lifestyle, What's Good?
Go forward but get back to where you were when you were complete. Get to know me, click here for an all about.

This new moon we’re setting intentions to create balance and new habits. We’re going to be working together but at our own individual pace. We’ll be doing a different fast every week for six (6) months (June 2021) starting today (December 2020), to develop a focus on three things: brain, brand, and body. Pick four (4) habits you want to fast from and every week either pick new ones, mix them up, or continue on your journey the way you see fit. Just make sure you stick to the script. You can drop out at anytime but we, the collective, ask that you join us in cycles of 7 (days that is).

For your brand, get in tune with you. What are some hobbies you have? What ideas have been flowing through? Are you a great speaker, reader, or developer? Let’s put a list together of some ventures you can embark on to increase your equity and generate some revenue or simply just feeling good about yourself if that’s a home manicure and pedicure, sleep, or taking yourself out.

For example, for week one I am: (1) working out 30 minutes a week, (2) omit eating any animal meat or by products, (3) do one thing at a time and keep schedule to develop managing my projects, (4) no drinking alcohol or smoking weed. I am replacing these habits with drinking more herbs, practicing yoga and mediation consistently, exploring industry matters and content to keep my knowledge base fresh, and focus on my business while minding my box. Minding my box, according to sistar Divine, is minding your vagina into a healthy state by avoiding toxic foods and sex, developing your emotional intelligence, and being patient with people: including yourself, practicing transmutation. For my brand, I am producing more content for my audience(s) using my public relations, marketing, and advertising skills; and staying ready or being still until I am ready.

This challenge was inspired by Tony Gaskin’s book I read titled “Single Is Not A Curse”, and for the past few years since I’ve been dating this has been one of my reference tools for a sense of direction especially when I get off track. We’re also getting ready for the great conjunction December 21st, making space so we can have a full download of healing energy that will carry into our next ascension.

Single doesn’t mean alone, it means being autonomous with self first then reflecting that connection in your relationships with others. Practicing self care, love, and wealth creation is some benefits you can manage to factor into your life that will help you and collective consciousness, which is a equal reward for us all. Are you part of the collective human race?

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Sagacity: The Sacred Practice of Sage Burning

Community, Culture News, Health and Wellness, Heritage-History, Lifestyle

It is wise to know where your practices come from and to have deep insight into how they not only impact you, but the world. Sage comes in more than 900 species, according to Southern Living. It is a medicinal plant used in culinary and spiritual practices. It was once considered a medicinal cure-all, and can still be used to cure many dis-eases. The plant and the uses of it has become a trendy wellness practice. It is very important to know where this trend derived from and to protect the tradition by having a clear understanding of the practice to work effectively with indigenous peoples and Mother Nature.

The practice of burning sage is culturally sensitive to indigenous peoples but it’s something that we should also consider the agriculture process of and how it effects the environment.

Sage burning also known as smudging, is used for purifying and cleansing the spirit of negative energy in the home, room, or body, helping to maintain a satisfactory aura. The term smudging comes from indigenous tribes, commonly, in North America. A good question is, do they practice this medicine in other cultures, if so, where and what are they called ?

Bustle’s Nyla Burton, said “when non-native people burn sage to “smudge” their homes or other spaces, it can minimize the cultural importance of this ritual, and have a negative impact on how the herbs are grown. Instead, advocates say non-native people can learn to cleanse their spaces in ways that are culturally and ecologically sensitive. There are lots of ways to achieve the benefits of smudging by using more ethical practices, terminology, and materials.”

Definition of Smudging

“Sacred smoke from burning medicinal or sacred plants, a traditional ceremony for purifying and cleansing soul of negative thoughts of a person or place.”

The Four Elements

  • Traditionally, a shell is used as a container representing water the first element
  • Four sacred plants that are gifts from mother earth represent the second element, earth.
    • Cedar
    • Sage
    • Sweetgrass
    • Tobacco
  • Lighting of the sacred plants produces the third element, fire.
  • Smoke from the fire produces the fourth element, air.

To learn more about working effectively with Indigenous Peoples visit Indigenous Corporate Training, Inc. for more.

It is better to light the plant with a match then a gas lighter. You can burn both the leaves and the stems before wavering over the subject by hand or with a feather,traditionally natives use eagle feathers. The person being smudge can pull the smoke towards them to inhale softly. When finished the ashes are then returned to mother earth, for which this is where the gifts came from. It is said and believed that the ashes absorbs the negative thoughts and feelings.

Sources

‘Community Partners’ Give Back Right Before School Starts

Community, Culture News, Inspiration

Chicago, IL- Invited by Ta’Rhonda Jones, one of the presenters, who collaborated with Neighborhood Heroes, R.A.G.E. (Resident Association of Greater Englewood), Imagine Englewood If…, Project Hood, Kingdom Avenue, Teamwork Englewood, Ladies of Virtue, Alderwoman Coleman of the 16th Ward, Growing Home, Rebecca Zellview, CORE (Community Organized Relief Effort), 28 To Brush Dental Studio, Oak Street Health, U.S. Army, Community Policing, Cook County Illinois, Project Exploration STEAM, and VOA Illinois.

They provided Italian Fiesta Pizza for the Volunteer Staff; who passed out basketballs, essentials such as soaps, facial cleansers, food items; and non essentials such as backpacks, haircuts, COVID TESTING; and more. Supplies were distributed on a first come serve basis, rain or shine, located on 60th Halsted to help make the remote learning process easier for the families in Englewood and greater Chicago area.

Credit: Cortez Carter of “A Carter Agency”, Video Journalist

The Connect

I connected with Martin “Crime Chaser” Johnson, Lamon Reccord, Kevin Freeman, Joseph Williams and I met some new community associates and I look forward to seeing the work they do in the community and beyond, check back for updates.

Entrepreneurship is the New Crack, Need Help Curbing the Bad Habits? Here’s a Dose of Inspiration.

Culture News, Health and Wellness, Inspiration

I just want to inspire the next person or living being that’s in similar shoes as me. I’ve been going through entrepreneur sickness. You ever been so overwhelmed with opportunities, potential, and prospects that you don’t know where to start? That’s me right now, and helping everyone else settle.

It’s all about the checking of the ego and centering yourself in moods like this because they can possibly drive you to depression or into quick decision making without research and clarity, which will later cause stress. I just recently broke out in hives and I couldn’t figure out where they’d come from. I tracked all the food I ate for the day, and hadn’t eaten anything that was unusual to me. I was then told by a friend that as you get older your body changes which is true but in my current case it’s just not true.

Endurance pierces marble.

North Africa Proverb

So I called my OG (for my foreign people this is my mom), and she informed me that her and my grandmother use to get them from stress; then she told me to get some rest, so I did. I took a camping trip that kind of changed my life and was well needed. It helped me to ground myself and in the midst of my breakout I discovered a natural treatment to relieve the added on stress of the hives. African Black Soap changed my life and so did the company I had on the trip.

Caution comes from God and haste from the devil.

Bantu African Proverb

I learned that all it takes is for you to take small steps and let things go. See as an Aries I hold on to things a little bit longer than I should and I am hard on myself more so than others. This trip helped me reflect on my life for the last 8 years and identify what’s important to me and my passion. Family is important to me and business is never personal, it’s logically based in equity and trust but equally important. Sometimes you could be doing the right things but just be in need of someone you can trust to bounce ideas off of. That’s why people who aren’t a shame to admit they need help seek counsel from therapist, consultants, friends or family. Be cautious and use discernment when navigating as an entrepreneur or simply, in life period. Take your time, don’t let it beat you and control it.