Tag Archives: blk arts

Prayers for Peace

Posted on September 29, 2014 by Ayodele Nzinga, MFA, PhD

Advertisements trust in righteous love but tie your camel I pray for peace as I sharpen swords my prayers have only known times of war I pray for peace as I protect my weapons my love for peace no ladder … Continue reading →

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The Death of Innocence

Posted on September 20, 2014 by Ayodele Nzinga, MFA, PhD

Advertisements the innocence that wrote love poems and captured beauty like life could be kept fire-flied in a bottle fled slowly/ leaving pragmatism on the dresser in a shade of clouded jade there is little to say of love or … Continue reading →

Posted in Black Arts, North American African Perspective, Poetry, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

The Storm

Posted on August 20, 2014 by Ayodele Nzinga, MFA, PhD

Advertisements In the storm no eyes blind head back mouth open to the rain wash the sorrow & rage into my soul no one hears my cries nobody is coming for to rescue me no eyes in this storm brewing … Continue reading →

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BAM: The Movement That Moved the World

Posted on March 18, 2014 by Ayodele Nzinga, MFA, PhD

Advertisements The sixties, a time of social upheaval punctuated by the struggle of North American Africans to create Black political and social institutions, that advanced Black values, and promoted Black collective interest birthed, an affirmation, “Black is Beautiful”. It was … Continue reading →

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Sedi Bo: A West Oakland Tale of Art and Transformation

Posted on March 17, 2014 by Ayodele Nzinga, MFA, PhD

Advertisements Sedi Bo’s image is memorialized in a mural on the corner of 14th and Campbell. Sedi’s name was Cedric, people also called him Country. He was a musical artist. He grew up in West Oakland. His sister’s runs a … Continue reading →

Posted in Black Arts, I'm Just Saying!, non fiction essay, North American African Perspective | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Two Trains Running: Lower Bottom Playaz Next Stop

Posted on March 14, 2014 by Ayodele Nzinga, MFA, PhD

Advertisements Season 14 for the Lower Bottom Playaz starts with Two Trains Running by August Wilson. Wilson is one of America’s finest playwrights, his work The American Century Cycle is his signature writ large on the American theaterscape. His unduplicated … Continue reading →

Posted in August Wilson, Black Arts, Craft, non fiction essay, North American African Perspective, Performing Arts, Tales of Iron and Water, Theater, work in progress | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

The Last Laureate of Newark

Posted on February 22, 2014 by Ayodele Nzinga, MFA, PhD

Advertisements The Last Laureate of Newark: Oakland Local Article- Remembering Amiri Baraka.  The Last Laureate of Newark (A Love Supreme) There is no laureate poet in Newark as he ascended to jam with the out and gone went to where the … Continue reading →

Posted in Black Arts, non fiction essay, North American African Perspective, Performing Arts, Poetry, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Built to carry weight

Posted on August 29, 2013 by Ayodele Nzinga, MFA, PhD

Advertisements I will still stand up  even if it all falls down Stand & deliver flying over shaking ground That be my measure for all you that  come to weigh I am good in the storm My Gods built me … Continue reading →

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FENCES: Art Without Borders–Wilson the Universalist

Posted on August 25, 2013 by Ayodele Nzinga, MFA, PhD

Advertisements FENCES: Art Without Borders–Wilson the Universalist The Lower Bottom Playaz, the oldest North American African theater troupe in Oakland CA is presenting FENCES as a part of its commitment to August Wilson’s Century Cycle.  FENCES is perhaps the most … Continue reading →

Posted in August Wilson, Black Arts, non fiction essay, North American African Perspective, Performing Arts, Tales of Iron and Water, Theater | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Pragmatic Optimism

Posted on August 21, 2013 by Ayodele Nzinga, MFA, PhD

Advertisements The figs did not ripen this year nor did the dreams of democracy in the land of the free the hard green fruit only skin and seeds absent the flesh necessary to sustain the living who are left with … Continue reading →

Posted in Life., North American African Perspective, Poetry, spokenword | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment