assist: as⋅sist / [uh-sist] / –verb (used with object)

1. to give support or aid to

2. to be associated with as an assistant or helper.

Interesting.

I searched through the NCAA and NBA record books to see if there was any mention of Maxwell’s assist record. Arguably one of the greatest point guards of all-time: the man, the myth, the legend is [coming] back. This man is quite the talent, furnishing some of our generation’s most creative music.

Two things to note: 1) his album is coming out this summer, not sure when, but a MUST cop 2) he’s headlining Essence Fest this year in New Orleans.

This is just an fyi, cheers to one of the best out there. He’s up there in my Sade category.

New video: http://www.musze.com/

This is the story of World Champion Boxer, Kassim “The Dream” Ouma - born in Uganda, kidnapped by the rebel army and trained to be a child soldier at the age of 6. When the rebels took over the government, Kassim became an army soldier who was forced to commit many horrific atrocities, making him both a victim and perpetrator. He soon discovered the army’s boxing team and realized the sport was his ticket to freedom. After 12 years of warfare, Kassim defected from Africa and arrived in the United States. Homeless and culture shocked, he quickly rose through the boxing ranks and became Junior Middleweight Champion of the World. 

Kassim, now age 27, seems to have obtained the American Dream with his jovial nature, fame and hip hop lifestyle. As Kassim trains for his next world title fight against Jermain Taylor in Little Rock Arkansas, keeping his demons out of the ring becomes increasingly difficult. His desires to reunite with family in Uganda intensify when Kassim’s only hope for a safe return is a military pardon from the president and government responsible for his abduction. 

From the director of The Devil’s Miner, Kief Davidson received unprecedented access to Kassim Ouma during a pivotal time in the boxer’s career. Filmed in cinema verite, current events are skillfully woven in with brutal revelations of a stolen childhood. The parallels reveal a complex and haunted fighter surviving against incredible odds.

A strong collaborative effort and fine piece of art from a few of my LA comrades.

Rap Duo Bleu Collar (Basik + Reese1) and Director Amanjah (met this young man back in my “Pimpin Ken” days at FAMU on my visits to ATL). Impressive stuff indeed, see commentary and thought behind the project: 

Seminal clothing brand Black Scale Presents L.A. hip hop duo Bleu Collar matched up against the sinister drums of Portishead’s “Machine Gun” (click here for more)

Otherwise, enjoy the video below, pardon some of the choice language: it’s art.

Photo: Artis Lane holds a small version of the Capitol bust. (Francine Orr / LA Times)

First lady Michelle Obama helped unveil Los Angeles artist Artis Lane’s new sculpture in Washington, D.C. today. Lane’s latest work is a bronze bust of Sojourner Truth, a former slave and women’s rights activist that is the first sculpture of a black woman in the U.S. Capitol.

For more on Lane and her work, see: “L.A. Artist’s ‘Truth’ to Be Unveiled.”

Sharron Pearson is the first student from the Los Angeles school to be accepted by Oxford Tradition, officials say. She has a scholarship but figures she needs $2,500 for airfare and other expenses.

By Louis Sahagun | LA Times

When Crenshaw High School junior Sharron Pearson asked for permission to apply for a scholarship to attend a summer program at Oxford University, her father’s response was blunt: “No. We can’t afford it.”

Sharron, 17, applied anyway. “Then I went to work trying to persuade my parents to reconsider,” she recalled. “I just knew they’d come around and see things my way.”

A month ago, Sharron was among 400 high school students from around the world chosen to attend the Oxford Tradition 2009 on a scholarship that covers tuition, breakfast and dinner, and 28 days of room and board in a dorm. Her studies will emphasize drama and creative writing.

Sharron is the first Crenshaw High student to be accepted by the program, school officials said.

Continue Reading »

Hype. Nervous. Anxious. Excited. Nerves bad. Ready.

Let’s go.

Join the Los Angeles Professional Network (LAPN) along with 3 USC Marshall Graduate student organzations, Challenge for Charity and non-profit organization CLIMB (Creating Leaders In Mind & Body) for a grand evening that will benefit the youth programs and services of CLIMB and Challenge For Charity (which supports the Special Olympics and Junior Achievement). 

Hosted by Mario Singleton (MS Entertainment) + Curtis Jewell (MyCypher)

The first annual Black and White Ball will be hosted by Black Graduate Business Leaders, Black Graduate Student Network, CLIMB, Latino Graduate Student Association, and Challenge for Charity to provide an opportunity to network with graduate students from across Southern California and young urban professionals in the Los Angeles area. Don’t miss out on this great opportunity to expand your professional network while raising funds for charity! 

Dress Code: Semi-Formal/Upscale Attire

Purchase pre-sale tickets for $20 here: http://www.marshall.usc.edu/clubs/bgbl/events.htm
Buy your tickets now! The event is expected to sell out! 

My role is to influence.

My challenge is to bring our story and our service to the desk of those who are looking to get involved, those who are looking to support, those who have questions, those who are hesitant, those who have interest in donating, etc.

This (CLIMB) is all organic. It derived from a collective group of young professionals (read: typnetwork) that shared a vested interest in the community…and therefore the mission is simple: send the elevator back down.

As seen in the video above, Mr. William Bradley III (FICS/BOS) has stepped to the plate and been a blessing to CLIMB; here, he leads a presentation on the theme Organization, as it relates to leadership.

The CLIMB Youth Leadership Institute (CYLI) is designed to promote and cultivate leadership skills in 6th, 7th, and 8th graders through workshops, self-exploration, and service.

CLIMB is currently in overdrive.