MANIFESTO goes global

TORONTO, CANADA – Manifesto Community Projects has been engaging the city’s youth with Arts and Culture ever since 2007, not long after Toronto came to grips with widespread violence that became known as the infamous ‘Summer of the Gun’ two years prior. From inspiring town hall meetings to exciting performances at its annual Manifesto Festival of Community and Culture, the non-governmental organization has been making its presence unmistakably felt in the Greater Toronto Area. Not only that, but its steady growth has inspired the birth of a sibling organization outside of Canada.

“MANIFESTO was born out of pure and honest love. That love is universal and it was felt by our brothers and sisters working on similar missions in Kingston, Jamaica. It is with great joy that we announce the official birth of the Manifesto movement in Jamaica,” said Founding Executive Director of Manifesto Canada, Che Kothari. “I’ve been going back and forth to Kingston for a while now building with the team and the level at which this team is operating and the depth of their experience is truly powerful. The things they have already done in a short period are major successes for an organization still in its infancy and speaks to their capacity and connections on a grassroots and institutional level. Their methodology, approach and activities are truly genius. Without a doubt this team is about to set things ablaze in Kingston and its coming at a time when love must be the message.”

Manifesto|Jamaica Festival Director, Lesley-Ann Welsh explained, “We feel extremely blessed by the connection made with Manifesto Community Projects. Che’s energy is infectious and, before we knew it, we were integrally involved with his movement. The Manifesto approach truly has the potential to be a healing force in Jamaica, especially among the youth.”

Although this cross-cultural partnership comes as a pleasant surprise for arts and culture practitioners in Jamaica, it has actually been in the making since 2008. In February of that year, Kothari attended the Africa Unite Youth Symposium in Kingston, where he met Welsh and her colleague, Gavin Hutchinson; both were organizers of the symposium on behalf of the Bob & Rita Marley Foundations. He also met Reginald Bell who, along with Hutchinson, co-produced and co-hosted a youth talk show called Reasoning on Jamaican national radio. The three would soon collaborate with Che on Project Nine Mile, a computer literacy project in the rural Nine Mile community where Reggae icon Bob Marley was born and raised. Incidentally, Che also became acquainted with Marley’s granddaughter, Donisha Prendergast, at the symposium; she is currently working on her globetrotting documentary, Rasta, and is an integral part of the Manifesto|Jamaica team.

By the summer, Hutchinson was selected to be on the planning committee for the inaugural Ignite The Americas youth arts forum in Toronto. Today, he considers his experience there to be the single greatest contributor to his current passion for the arts.

“Toronto is where I first appreciated the true effect of arts and culture on youth in society,” confessed Hutchinson, Advocacy Director for Manifesto|Jamaica. “All I kept thinking about was how we could apply the Manifesto formula back home. Jamaica has the most culture per square mile and I feel like that potent and characteristic energy that we are known for just needs some positive realignment.”

With the recent outbreak of violence between law enforcement and inner city residents at the end of May, it seemed like Jamaica’s ‘Summer of the Gun’ arrived in 2010. Manifesto|Jamaica’s emergence could not be timelier. On the afternoon of May 23, as the team was in the middle of its first official community impact activity, a sports day uniting several communities in the Three Miles Development Area, the first gunshots sounded just one block away. The experience had the effect of setting the tone for the organization, putting into perspective the importance of empowering the youth with opportunities for self-expression at a time when violence constantly surrounds them. This view continues to shape Manifesto|Jamaica’s development as it grows from infancy to become a leader in Jamaica’s arts and culture revolution.

One Africa One People One Destiny

Fellow sisters and brothers in the struggle,

We are a collective of black community activists seeking the liberation of all black, indigenous, and oppressed people. From Canada to Palestine, The Congo to South Africa, Latin America to Africa, people of colour continue to be murdered and forced to live in imposed poverty as our natural resources and land continues to be occupied by imperialist nations. These nations benefit from our stolen resources, taking the food out of our mouths starving the bellies of our young. As a global community it is our responsibility to unite our voices to resist these obscene overt forms of colonialism and global oppression. For too long we have organized in small divided groups within Toronto never achieving any local or global change. Through fear tactics, psychological warfare, oppression and violence many people have been forced physically and mentally, to not exercise their right to voice their opinions or their desires to fight against the oppression that they experience. Our people are forced to believe, and later come to identify with, the idea that the oppressor has supreme power and is working in the favour of the people. As a result a culture of quiet, non-resistant and passive people are born. This Culture of Silence is longstanding and continues because the people continue to allow destruction and the oppression to occur, not because they want to, but because fighting against the oppressor seems futile. Oppressed people must unite in one effort to overthrow our common imperial enemy. Our voice can be louder and stronger only if we speak together. We are not representing a new organization nor are we asking for you to join one. We are simply asking you to help us say ENOUGH IS ENOUGH and collectively fight to gain justice and the reclamation of our resources and end discrimination for all oppressed and marginalized people in this country. Indigenous people and people of colour will no longer allow the noose to be tightened around our necks and racist arrogance to burden our backs. Unite with our coalition to demand freedom for us all.

On June 19th the One Africa One People One Destiny coalition is planning a rally to unify the struggles of black people in the city of Toronto and around the world. Canada has played a part in the oppression of our people in Haiti, the Congo and many other African nations. The June 19th rally would see the merging of all these struggles for one day of action that would allow our people to see that we are one people fighting the same battle on different fronts. This would also lead to the unification of not only the African community, but all oppressed communities to liberate our people once and for all.

We demand:

Canada:

The immediate dismissal of any officer who murdered or brutalized black people
Reparations to the families of all victims of police murder or brutality
An End to Toronto Anti Violence Intervention Strategy (TAVIS).
An end to all anti gang initiatives
An end to police containment of the black community
An end to illegal police raids in the black community
End to government imposed poverty that makes black on black crime possible
Economic development for the black community
End to government imposed poverty that made it possible or 29 Somali youth to be killed in Alberta since 2005
Justice in the form economic development or all black communities in Alberta
End to the safe schools act
Afrocentric education for all black students
End to immigration policies that discriminate against black people/ people of African descent.
True reparations for victims of Africville

Haiti:
End Canada’s military occupation of Haiti (2000 or more troop build up)
The Canadian government to expose its involvement in the ousting of Aristide
Return of Aristide to Haiti
An End to the Canadian military and police training of Haitian police
Haitians alone be the ones who determine what reconstruction looks like
Reparations to families of victims killed by Haitian police trained by Canadian forces

Somalia:
All Canadian warships (the real pirate ships) out of Somali waters and an end to criminalization of Somali people as pirates.

Congo:
End of Canadian mining in the Congo
Reparations for the Africans living in the Congo for Canada’s role in the Congo’s mineral fuelled war.

Africa:
End of all Canadian mining in Africa
End to Canada’s theft of African resources mining deals facilitated by neo-colonial puppet leaders.
Reparations to all these nations to return the $21 billion stolen which will be total value of Canadian mining assets in Africa by the end of 2010

On June 19th attend our rally in solidarity with our movement. Protest global oppression by offering solidarity statements attacking global imperialism. If you are interested, please reply by Friday, June 4, 2010 (with flexibility).
]]> http://stolenfromafrica.com/2010/06/black-ralley-sat-june-19-queens-park/feed/ 0 http://stolenfromafrica.com/2010/06/justice-for-junior-friday-june-11th/ http://stolenfromafrica.com/2010/06/justice-for-junior-friday-june-11th/#comments Wed, 09 Jun 2010 00:48:58 +0000 logikal http://stolenfromafrica.com/?p=3052

Date: Monday, June 7
Time: 6 p.m. (event will take place from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m.)
Location: Metro Square, behind Metro Hall, 55 John St.
Refreshments will be served

The public is invited to take part in this community event, which celebrates the successful conclusion of the Mayor’s Advisory Panel on making a Safe City Safer.

The event will showcase the achievements of the many programs, investments and individuals that have contributed to community safety since the inception of the panel in April 2004. This free event will also feature a live DJ, talented Hip Hop and R’n'B artists, breakdancers, spoken word, live mural painting, community voices and an on-site social media team.

Melanie Fiona, a Toronto artist, has roots in the Jane and Finch community. She actively mentors young people in the Remix Project – an arts, cultural and life skills incubator for youth that was initiated through the Mayor’s Advisory Panel. The Remix Project is an active member of the panel.

GIVE MONEY, MAKE CHANGE – PART 2 is an effort to raise enough

funds to help keep The Remix Project alive and flourishing as well as

to complete the renovations and set-up of the innovative and award-
winning programs fabulous new space.

The Remix Project is a successful four-year-old program serving

gifted but underserved and vulnerable young people (ages 16 – 22)

across the GTA. Through its various six-month courses fostering arts,

cultural and life skills, over 140 graduates have been able to realize
their creative and business potentials.

Last year Remix launched it’s first ever-annual fundraising campaign

and raised $75,000. We are extremely thankful for everyone who has

supported the project and believed in the importance of the work our

organization does.

Thanks to all the supporters in 2009’s Give Money Make Change

campaign Remix has found a beautiful new home in the heart of

Toronto at 2 Pardee Ave. Suite 201. This year’s campaign will help

renovate and set-up the facility which will include a recording studio,

production room, video editing suite, photography studio, creative

arts centre, board room and a business incubator.

Please support give money, make change – PART 2

Reception: 6 pm to 10 pm

There will be live performances by Remix alumni P.G. and Rich Kidd.

silent/live auction

*Hors d’oeuvres will be provided.

pledge to party: 10pm to 3am

Patrons will be encouraged to transition from the reception to enjoy the music and dance. Those who join in fundraising efforts for The Remix Project will have received pledges from family, friends, and co-workers to support them in dancing the night away with a great family of inspiring people.

*100% of funds generated will go

directly to The Remix Project.

For more info on The Remix Project visit

www.theremixproject.ca

GIVE MONEY, MAKE CHANGE PT 2. is supported by

various media, fashion and entertainment professionals including

MTV, Flow 93.5, Brazen Hussy, Coco & Lowe, 1 Love T.O., What

Women Want, Maxamus Entertainment, prettysweet and Won-by-One.

come out and support!

Will it be you?

Enter Sound Battle Royale for a chance at the title of “Toronto’s Hottest Producer” and $1500 CASH!!!

Judged by some of Toronto’s most accomplished beat makers:

Rich Kidd (Saukrates, K-OS, Drake, Theology 3)

Tone Mason (AZ, Busta Rhymes, Rochester)

Arthur McArthur (Nipsey Hussle, Gucci Mane, Lil Wayne)

This battle is only for producers who got that heat!!

Think you can take the crown and win $1500?

Prove it.

Round One takes place June 17th at Augusta House, 152A Augusta Avenue @ Dundas

You must register to compete. Submission deadline June 1st. Sign up at www.soundbattleroyale.com

WHAT IS SBR?

Never done before, Sound Battle Royal (SBR) is the ultimate test of Toronto’s most talented beatmakers. The ULTIMATE beat maker’s challenge, SBR takes 32 producers over 4 months and 4 rounds to chop, sample and build a beat – on the spot! No gimmicks, no pre-made beats, just 100% improvised creativity.

For more info, check out: www.soundbattleroyale.com or email: submit@soundbattleroyale.com

NATIONAL TALENT SEARCH
For Immediate Release
May, 2010

Toronto – Honey Jam, produced by PhemPhat Entertainment Group, is the longest running all-female talent showcase in Canada and the search is on for this year’s line up of undiscovered talent!

While the live auditions are in Toronto, THIS IS A NATIONAL SEARCH. Artists unable to make the audition on Sunday June 13 at The Mod Club @ 722 College Street, can email a link to one of their live performances, even if it’s in their basement! All of the details are on www.honeyjam.com

Please note, there is no charge to audition, but audition spectators will be charged $5 at the door.

Judges include vocal coach Elaine Overholt who worked with actors in the Oscar award-winning film Chicago. The panel will also include reps from A&R departments, radio, music media, artist funding bodies, producers, managers and artists.

Honey Jam, which celebrates their 15th anniversary this year, has delivered one of the summer’s hottest shows featuring some of the electrifying live performances. Whether hip hop, R&B, rock, pop, jazz, soul, country, classical, dancehall – talented female vocalists representing all musical genres can take part.

Artists chosen to perform at this year’s showcase, which will take place on Sunday, August 15 will be announced at the media launch in July. They will have the opportunity to attend a free artist workshop sponsored by PhemPhat and the Harris Institute for the Arts to give them some insight into the industry in keeping with PhemPhat’s mandate to educate and mentor, as well as give exposure to up and coming female artists.

To help fund the show and workshop, a fundraising raffle will be held over the summer. Tickets are $20 and prizes include a 1 week hotel stay at Amaryllis Beach Resort in Barbados.

For info on the history of the Honey Jam and more details about the auditions and showcase, please check out the following websites:

www.honeyjam.com
www.myspace.com/honeyjam
www.twitter.com/thehoneyjam
Facebook: HONEY JAM

Sponsors include Slaight Communications Inc., Nelstar Entertainment, TD Bank, Factor, Yamaha Canada Music, MuchMusic, VerveGirl Magazine, the New FLOW 93.5, Exlaim.ca, Universal Music Canada, The Canadian Independent Recording Artists Association, Ontario Arts Council, the SOCAN Foundation, Taylor Mitsopulos Klein Oballa, Canadian Musician and World Vision.

Questions or inquiries can be directed to honeyjaminfo@gmail.com

Come out to Black Daddies Club first ever fathers day fundraiser event and see some of our favourite photos from the past 2 and half years

We will be auctioning the photos at this event, so bring your check books, funds from thsi event goes back into the Black Daddies Club for future community events and programming.

We will also be launching our new Black Daddies Club T shirts.

We have some special live performances lined up for this fathers Day event

We have some fun activities for the entire family throughout the day

admission is free

Date:
Sunday June 20th, 2010

Featuring photos by:

Steve Carty
Moses kofi
Michael C. palma

for more info
www.blackdaddiesclub.com
info@blackdaddiesclub.com
416-951-6075 (Brandon)