Tag: News

Communal Eating and the Importance of Sharing a Meal and Conversation

Community, Culture News, Food, Dining, and Drinks, Lifestyle, Travel

Yesterday at Demera Ethiopian Restaurant, I hosted 8 guest to celebrate the New Year (my new year).  The benefits of dining with others is the centering of food and conversation which helps to upwardly build relations.

Follow me on snap @BillieDaKidd

In today’s community or world we don’t eat with our family a lot. We’re typically always on the go, with our extended family from work, or maybe with our friends. Whatever the situation, we aren’t spending two hours a day communally eating.

What is Communal Eating:

Communal Eating As A Vaccination Against Loneliness And Social Isolation

Eating together and having a quintessential human experience is communal dining. You get to catch up with your peers, family, or partners. It’s a great way to learn from one another and inspire new cuisines, cultural practices, and share information.

Conarga released news about a national survey that they performed, which found that 40 percent of American families eat dinner together at three or fewer times a week. I’m not for sure when the news release was published but I’ll guess that it was around 2003. Do you think that number has increased or decreased?

Well I’m gone get straight to the point with you. I’m improving my life and culture, so how I bond with humans in my life is utterly important to me. It’s not about one individual but about the unit as a collective. It’s about the whole experience and learning how not to be selfish or kill the mood of others, being aware of how you’re energy (Inner G) impacts others.

Here’s my Why

Inspired by GOODNET, gateway to doing good

9 Scientifically Proven Reasons to Eat Dinner as a Family 

  1. Betters Relationships
  2. Leads to Healthier Food Choices
  3. Can Lead to Better Grades or Work Experience
  4. A Chance to Explore New Foods
  5. Lead to Greater Happiness
  6. Homemade Meals Promotes Portion Control including Public Communal Dining
  7. Equals healthy Children and Adults
  8. Relieves Stress
  9. Saves Money

Unarmed Stephon Clark Killed in his Own Backyard by Sacramento Police 👮 🚔

Community, Culture News, Hip Hop, Culture, and Political Tricks

The victim, Stephon Clark, was only 22-years-old when he was shot and killed in his backyard where he lived with his family, on Sunday. Clark was reportedly shot 20 times while only holding his cell phone at the time.

The Sacramento Bee 🐝 reported that the officers were responding to a call of someone breaking car windows. The Sacramento Police 🚔 conducted a helicopter search to locate the suspect which is how they mistakenly targeted Clark.

What a great way to spend tax payer dollars 💵 Sacramento Police, and we appreciate if you used intelligence when investigating a crime. In my opinion police should be required to have a four-year degree in sociology or a degree that deals with humanity including consistent training to deal with the public in an non-aggressive, non-violent, and un-aggravated way.

I am tired of seeing Black men being targeted as if they have no importance. There needs to be some policies in play to resolve this consistent conflict between the government and the urban community. We will not keep tolerating the police “accidentally” taking the lives of innocent 😇 individuals.

My heart 💜 prayers, and peace goes out to Clark’s Family. Sleep peacefully brother for you will not die in vain.

Black Panther Premiere: Community Bonding and Celebration with @ThorntonTwp

Community, Culture News, Entertainment

Black Panther Premiere at Cinema 8

Published First: Thornton Township

I had the pleasure of connecting with Thornton Township to witness the debut of Black Panther with the community, Feb. 16 at Cinema 8 in Lansing. Royal purple carpets, wristbands, goodie bags with Black History Flashcards, including free snacks and beverages were gifted to the community members for their support in making the day great. The movie theater was filled with love from the elders, generation X, baby boomers, and the millennials who all seemed to take away the great message the movie had to offer which was “We are stronger united than we are divided”. Can you think of any significant way to spend black history month?

There were many other messages that were encoded but the message mentioned above was commonly received by the guest. I cried many times during the movie: tears of joy, tears of realization, tears of sadness, and tears of anger. Black Panther reminded me of my constant duty to the community, and Dr. Jamal Turner, the keynote speaker in theater one, spoke to us about his experience as a real life Black Panther.

Thornton Township was thanked by many guests for doing such a wonderful thing for the community because they provided an opportunity, “To those who probably couldn’t afford movie tickets” as said by Jouhan Sawe, a Thornton Township community member and employee.

Jeanette and Betty BP
Jeanette Quinn and Bessie Watkins, constituents of Thornton Township 

Another guest, Jeanette Quin said “Everything was perfect. The movie, how the event was put together, and how smooth it flowed. We were right on time and I thank them for hosting the event.” It’s more than safe to say that the community is looking forward to more remarkable things happening in Thornton Township. I know I had a marvelous time dressed in full regalia, bonding with the people, and being of service to the community. Can’t wait to see what they have in store for the rest of the month, and I hope to see you at the next outing or social.

Check out my Hood Movie Review of Black Panther! 

 

@DrUmarJohnson @The_HWCC #Umoja #Unity #UrbanPress #Recap #BKgetsherway

Community, Culture News, Economics, Hip Hop, Culture, and Political Tricks, What's Good?

Dr. Umar Johnson at The Harold Washington Cultural Center for the First Day of Kwanza; and a Late Dinner at Yassa African Food

The first day of Kwanza was beautiful. If you’re not familiar with Kwanza don’t trip. Kwanza is an “African American” seven-day cultural experience recognized each year from December 26-January 1. The seven-day principles are Umoja (Unity), Kujichagulia (Self-Determination), Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility), Ujamaa (Co-operative Economics), Nia (Purpose), Kummba (Creativity), Imani (Faith).

Umoja describes the First Day of Kwanza in Chicago at the Harold Washington Cultural Center. Dr. Umar Johnson, a Doctor of Clinical Psychology and Certified School Psychologist, was a Keynote Speaker along with a line of talented Artists. Johnson is facing a legal challenge with the Commonwealth State of Pennsylvania, Bureua of Professional and Occupational Affairs aka the State Board of Psychology.

Set aside all of that, he came through the land and dropped Jewels that are worthy of sharing with Urban (Black) Parents. As a Mentor, I consider this information to be a necessary conversation especially for young parents. Most parents aren’t educated on the business of “Education”, and it’s a major responsibility that they are educated.

  1. Never go to a school meeting by yourself
  2. Do not get your child evaluated if they are in 3
  3. Don’t communicate over the phone, always do it in writing via emails or written documents.
  4. Stop telling the school your business. (*inform your children of this too)
  5. Know that you have a right to a second opinion, especially if they’re claiming your child has special education needs. Legally the school will pay for the qualified specialist of your choice to evaluate your child for a second opinion.

Do your research and understand the policies that govern education. Don’t just leave it at that either, as a parent know what education is, to be able to determine what kind of education your child should receive. What a wonderful way to spend Umoja! It was a pleasure to learn better methods and theories to aid in helping us have a better understanding of developing our children.

Dr. Johnson is in the works of deciding where he will plant his first school. He’s deciding between Detroit, Atlanta, and Chicago. Allegedly, He’s had some conflicts along the way because he hasn’t gotten any returned phone calls from real estate interest. He’s had other partners and associates call to inquiry about the real estate. We’ll be contacting Dr. Umar Johnson to obtain more information about his plans with FDMG. We’ll keep you updated.

After our long day of unity he treated his staff and invited guest to dinner. If you haven’t ate at Yassa African Food , then set your date soon. We had a blast as a community, and we were treated like family. I can’t wait to see what the universe does next in Dr. Johnson’s journey.

Check out the gallery of press images from the event. Photo credits to Shabria Davidson of Sky Team Media, our Photojournalist of the evening. If you use images, I ask that you notify me and give credit to the creatives who produced the content. When contact is made you will be given all social media and credential information to use for multiple platforms. Respect our craft and art, these are non negotiable terms. Conditions made to subject vary, mass media laws apply.