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Good Black News

Nigerian Sculptor Nnenna Okore Impresses at Contemporary African Art Gallery

By goodblacknews on November 8, 2012

Raised in Nigeria, now living in the United States, the young sculptor Nnenna Okore makes a strong impression in this solo show of new work in New York’s Contemorary African Art Gallery. Her primary materials are organic recyclables — burlap, jute rope, paper — along with small, cylindrical, fingerlike ceramic forms. In several cases she attaches the ceramic pieces to sheets of burlap that have been stiffened with resin and molded into undulating curves. The effect is decorative, the basic format a reminder that she spent an apprentice year working in El Anatsui’s studio in Nigeria around the time he was developing his pieced-together and draped metal “fabrics.”

More interesting, because more her own, are wall sculptures that take her closer to abstract natural forms. Some are open, seemingly fragile networks made from dye-soaked jute threads that twist and intertwine, like tendrils or root systems.

Other pieces, shaped from handmade paper, have the furrowed texture of tree bark or leathery skin. One extraordinary paper piece, dyed pink and brown, seems to burst from the gallery wall like a giant dried and withered rose. Like all of Ms. Okore’s best work, this is a tough, unlovely image, about when recycling passes into disintegration.

article by Holland Cotter via nytimes.com

Tattoo Artist Imani K. Brown Promotes Creativity and Craft in the Body Art World

By goodblacknews on November 7, 2012
Imani Brown Tuskegee Airmen Tattoo

One of the oldest and most prevalent cultural practices across the globe, tattooing has become increasingly popular in the African-American community. Yet while this group has demonstrated a growing affinity for receiving tattoos, the number of licensed black artists practicing the profession is much smaller by comparison. Add gender to the mix, and the number dwindles even further.

“I want to believe there are more of us [women], but so far, there are very, very few,” African-American tattoo artist Imani K. Brown, 32, told theGrio. ”I know about two in Detroit. That’s it.”  Being a black tattoo professional has placed the artist in a strange caste. “People think we’re on the darker side of life,” said Brown, referring to misconceptions about her line of work.  ”That we’re all rockstars and worship the devil.”

Yet, Brown is a trained artist who hails from Washington D.C.’s Pinz-N-Needlez Tattoo, one of the few black-owned and operated shops in the country. To add further distinction, she is documented as only the second licensed black female tattoo artist in America. She recently learned of the first accredited black female artist, 66-year-old Jacci Gresham of New Orleans, upon watching the new documentary Color Outside The Lines, by black tattoo artist Miya Bailey and filmmaker Artemus Jenkins. Brown is also featured in the film.

Jackie Lacey Becomes Los Angeles County’s First Female and African-American DA

By goodblacknews on November 7, 2012
jackie lacey (Via Pasadena Star News) – Jackie Lacey made history Tuesday night, becoming the first African-American and first female chief prosecutor of Los Angeles County.

Lacey, the chief deputy district attorney, won with a substantial lead over Deputy District Attorney Alan Jackson Tuesday in the race to succeed Los Angeles District Attorney Steve Cooley.  By midnight, Lacey had all but officially declared victory and packed up her election night party at Union Station downtown.  As of 6 a.m. Wednesday, with 95 percent of precincts reporting, Lacey had 55 percent of the vote, to Jackson’s 45 percent.

Malawi Suspends Anti-Gay Laws As Parliament Debates Repeal

By goodblacknews on November 7, 2012
Malawi’s President Joyce Banda

Malawi has suspended anti-gay laws and ordered police not to arrest people who commit homosexual acts pending a debate on whether to repeal the legislation.  President Joyce Banda’s government announced on Monday that it had imposed a moratorium on the laws until the 193-member parliament could decide on the highly contentious issue.

Microsoft To Open $100 Million Tech Center in Brazil; Create Jobs

By goodblacknews on November 7, 2012
(Credit: Jim Kerstetter/CNET)
Microsoft is spreading its reach to South America with plans to invest roughly $100 million in a technology center based in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, according to Agencia Estado.

The center will have support from the Brazilian government, but the lion’s share of funding will come from Microsoft. It’s unclear exactly what the center will do, such as develop products, train Brazilians, act as a research hub, or something else.

According to The Next Web, Microsoft also invested $5 million in its Sao Paulo outpost earlier this year but the Rio de Janeiro center is a far bigger project. The software giant also has tech centers in Germany, Israel, and Egypt.

 Microsoft has been involved with Brazil for years. In 2008, it initiated a project that helped expand Internet cafes across the country giving more people access to the Web.  It also added educational and job-training components to that project.

According to Agencia Estado, several other tech companies also have plans to open centers in Brazil, including a new research hub from Intel.

Blacks Win in Congress With Five New Members

By goodblacknews on November 7, 2012

Last night was an extraordinary election for the black community.  President Barack Obama was able to reaffirm his success as a leader for the majority of voting Americans, and now blacks have a stronger foot-hold in congress.

Yesterday five new African Americans were sworn into Congress. Some of these new members beat out Republican candidates in key states, while others are occupying new seats in states like Nevada.  This election keeps the number of black members of congress at 44.

politic365.com lists the 5 new Black members as follows:

 

1. Joyce Beatty – Former Democratic state representative Joyce Beatty has been elected to a new Ohio congressional district in Columbus. She beat Republican Chris Long.

2. Steve Horsford – Horsford, Nevada’s first Black Senate majority leader, won a new seat created in Nevada.

3. Marc Veasey – Texas State Rep. Marc Veasey will serve in a new House district in North Texas after defeating Republican Chuck Bradley.

4. Hakeem Jeffries – Jeffries, a New York State Assemblyman, was easily victorious in Brooklyn’s 8th congressional district. Rep. Ed Towns held the seat for 29 years before announcing his retirement this year.

5. Donald Payne, Jr. – Payne will serve in New Jersey’s 10th congressional district after the death of his father in March.

article via yourblackworld.net

Detroit Museum Holds Exhibition of Forty-Four Busts of President Obama

By goodblacknews on November 7, 2012
Artist - Ted Ellis 02

Detroit’s Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History is holding an exhibition called “Visions of Our 44th President“.  It features 44 contemporary African-American artists using different styles and mediums of choice, all adding to a blank bust of President Barack Obama.

Mariah Carey Releases Obama Tribute Song “Bring It On Home” On Soundcloud

By goodblacknews on November 7, 2012
Mariah and Obama 16x9

Mariah Carey is showing the world just how patriotic she can be. Yesterday the “One Sweet Day” singer posted photos of herself at a polling station as she cast her vote for the next U.S. President. Today, Mariah has released “Bring It On Home,”  an inspirational song celebrating Obama’s re-election, joining Stevie Wonder and Will.i.am in the ranks of artists supporting the President through their music.

Mariah’s longtime producer Jermaine Dupri took to Twitter this morning to announce the release of the track. “NEW MARIAH CAREY SONG, SHE WROTE FOR OBAMA,BTW THIS IS THE REAL VERSION,” he wrote.

“Bring It On Home” is a throwback Mariah’s sound from the 90’s, as she is backed up by a choir while belts out the song’s lyrics.  Mariah first performed the song at a fundraiser for Obama during the summer.  Click here to hear the song.

original article by Chris Witherspoon via thegrio.com

 

Forest Whitaker Launches “Sharon Is Caring,” Teams Up With Indiegogo To Crowd Fund Films

By goodblacknews on November 7, 2012
Forest Whitaker AFI - P 2011
Forest Whitaker’s JuntoBox Films has greenlit production for romantic comedy Sharon Is Caring, while also announcing the shingle’s collaboration with crowd-funding platform Indiegogo.

Announcing the link-up at AFM on Nov. 5, the actor-turned-producer said the JuntoBox-Indiegogo partnership “represents another step toward using social collaboration and the elements of our digital world to empower the voices of independent filmmakers everywhere.”

As a result of the tie-up, entries on the website can now have the access to the production, mentorship and distribution services provided by Juntobox, a “collaborative” film studio chaired by Whitaker.

“Indiegogo’s roots were in film, so we’re excited to partner with JuntoBox to further extend our reach within the independent film community,” said Indiegogo co-founder and CEO Slava Rubin. “The JuntoBox Partner Page on Indiegogo will empower filmmakers to raise money for their films, tap into a global audience and bring more independent film projects to life.”

Founded in January 2008, the San Francisco-based portal aims at facilitating individuals to raise funds for their social or entrepreneurial projects from around the world.

Sharon Is Caring, revolving around two women avenging a man dating them at the same time and to be directed by New Yorker Wesley Mills, is JuntoBox’s fourth approved project this year. Aspiring filmmakers begin pitching the idea online, where members would vote on to pass judgment on whether they merit a launch.

article by Clarence Tsui via hollywoodreporter.com

GBN Quote Of The Month

By goodblacknews on November 7, 2012

“America, I believe we can build on the progress we’ve made and continue to fight for new jobs and new opportunity and new security for the middle class. I believe we can keep the promise of our founders, the idea that if you’re willing to work hard, it doesn’t matter who you are or where you come from or what you look like or where you love. It doesn’t matter whether you’re black or white or Hispanic or Asian or Native American or young or old or rich or poor, able, disabled, gay or straight, you can make it here in America if you’re willing to try.”   — President Barack Obama