Washington Informer

The role of women in the fight for civil and social rights cannot be overstated. As one Freedom Rider explained recently, "Black women rarely had hold of the microphone, sometimes because of sexism, but they wrote the speeches, they organized the marches, planned the boycotts, took part in the sit-ins and demonstrations, and were beaten, arrested, sexually assaulted, and dehumanized for their efforts alongside the men." In the interim, these women earned degrees, reared families, inspired a new generation of God-fearing and patriotic Americans, and shared their love for life. The Washington Informer encourages its readers to study the vibrant history of African American women.

Among Our Top Picks:

Black Women as Cultural Readers, by Jacqueline Bobo

This work demonstrates that African-American women, as a separate interpretive community, view cultural products in a unique way. In interviews with black women, she examines their specific responses as spectators and consumers of films and novels, including Waiting to Exhale, The Color Purple, and Daughters of the Dust.

Living with Jim Crow: African American Women and Memories of the Segregated South, by Anne Valk and Leslie Brown

This groundbreaking book collects Black women's personal recollections of their public and private lives during the period of legal segregation in the American South. Using first-person narratives, collected through oral history interviews, the book emphasizes women's role in their families and communities, treating women as important actors in the economic, social, cultural, and political life of the segregated South. By focusing on the commonalities of women's experiences, as well as the ways that women's lives differed from the experiences of southern black men, Living with Jim Crow analyzes the interlocking forces of racism and sexism.

When Chickenheads Come Home to Roost by Joan Morgan

In this fresh, funky, and ferociously honest book, award-winning journalist Joan Morgan bravely probes the complex issues facing African-American women in today's world: a world where feminists often have not-so-clandestine affairs with the most sexist of men; where women who treasure their independence often prefer men who pick up the tab; and where the deluge of babymothers and babyfathers reminds Black women who long for marriage that traditional nuclear families are a reality for less than 40 percent of the African-American population.

Producers of the Lifetime movie, "Betty and Coretta" could face legal action by Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan, according to a commentary on Black America Web.

The movie, which debuted earlier this month, recounts how the widows of Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr. – Betty Shabazz and Coretta Scott King – coped with the deaths of their husbands. Shabazz and King are played by Mary J. Blige and Angela Bassett, respectively.

While Farrakhan has not taken action against either the film's producers or executives of the Lifetime Network, the movie makes references to him being behind Malcolm X's Feb. 21, 1965 murder.

Farrakhan said he's falsely depicted in the movie, which he added, seeks to destroy his reputation.

"It is because the murder of Malcolm X is still alive in the hearts and minds of many, and they wish to charge me with that crime in order to seek to destroy my reputation with the people that love and admire me," Farrakhan said in a Final Call interview. "And also, to plant the seed in the hearts of those who don't know me that I am, in fact, a 'murderer.'"

In December 1964, Farrakhan denounced Malcolm X in the Nation of Islam's newspaper, but admitted years later that his words contributed to the climate of hatred, acrimony and retribution between NOI members and Malcolm X's followers.

"I have appealed to the government to open the files," Farrakhan was quoted as saying in a BET report. "So that everything in those files could be made manifest, not only to the Shabazz family, and the families of those so ill-affected by his murder, but also my family and the lives that are constantly put in the public."

(Sources: Black America Web, BET)

A. Shuanise Washington, Rep. Chaka Fattah to Hold Leadership Roles at Foundation

The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation has elected A. Shuanise Washington as its new president and CEO. Washington and several other officers were recently named during the CBCF's annual meeting. With her ties to the Foundation spanning more than 15 years, Washington has served in various capacities on the CBCF's Board of Directors and as a corporate funder for the Corporate Advisory Council.

She served as the board chair upon the death of Rep. Donald M. Payne in March 2012 and previously as the board's vice chair from 2010 to 2012.

"On behalf of the Foundation, I thank Krista Haggins who served as interim president for the past four months," said Washington. "We are indebted to Ms. Haggins for keeping the organization functioning smoothly and for the many significant contributions she has, and continues to make, during her tenure at CBCF."

Washington's longstanding commitment to the Foundation is tied to her deep belief in philanthropy and civic engagement. She most recently served as the founder and sole principal of Washington Solutions, LLC, which provided business consulting services for small, medium and large businesses, governments and nonprofit organizations.

Prior to that for 22 years, Washington was vice president of Government Affairs, Policy & Outreach for Altria Corporate Services. Washington, who retired in 2008, is a member of The Links Incorporated.

Rep. Chaka Fattah, a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee, was elected as the new chairperson of the CBCF's Board of Directors. Fattah, who sits on the Subcommittee for Energy and Water Development, is also the chief sponsor of legislation which offers tax credits to children and their parents to make college tuition more affordable.

In 2009, Rep. Fattah co-chaired CBCF's Annual Legislative Conference with Rep. Yvette Clarke of New York.

"The CBCF has an extraordinary legacy and I am honored to be elected to chair the board," said Rep. Fattah. "The Foundation's unwavering leadership to guarantee permanent input into national policy with a focus on the interest of African Americans is one that has generated well earned respect."

Others officers elected during the meeting are:

R. Donahue Peebles

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, The Peebles Corporation

Vice Chairman

Kevin Brown

Chief Procurement Officer, Dell, Inc.

Secretary

Marcus Mason

Partner, The Madison Group, LLC

Treasurer

Chief Procurement Officer, Dell, Inc.

Secretary

As a part of the D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities' celebration of Black History Month, that includes an exploration of Go-Go music, the District's own Go-Go band, Rare Essence will perform following a screening of the documentary "Straight Up Go-Go." The event will be held at 8 p.m., Feb. 22 at the Lincoln Theatre.

The documentary, which was released in 1992, traces the development of the "Go-Go sound" in the 1970s - from early influencers, Cab Calloway, James Brown, Fela Kuti, and Chuck Brown & The Soul Searchers - through the 1980s with Black Heat, Experience Unlimited, Rare Essence and Junkyard Band, up to the new generation of artists including Pleasure Band, C. J.'s Uptown Crew, Casual Al & The City Groovers.

Rare Essence, founded in 1976, began when four childhood friends decided to form a band to play music by their favorite groups - Parliament/Funkadelic, Cameo, and Confunkshun in their basements. The original four members were Quinten Davidson, Andre Johnson, Michael Neal and John Jones. Rare Essence went on to achieve relative success with the hits "Body Moves," "Lock It," and "Work the Walls."

"Brown Babies" Tells the Story of Bi-racial Children Born in Germany during World War II

The Washington Informer, in partnership with Wells Fargo, McMillon Communications, The Foundation for the Advancement of Music and Education Inc ( FAME), and Bowie State University Department of Fine and Performing Arts, will present "Brown Babies," a film that speaks about a little known by-product of Black soldiers in World War II.

The film screening takes place from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 21 at  Bowie State University, 14000 Jericho Rd., Bowie, Md.

Former news personality Doris McMillon discovered she was one of the nearly 5,000 brown babies adopted and raised by a black American couple. Her story, specifically her own search for her biological parents, is credited with inspiring the "Brown Babies" documentary. Doris, who is featured in the film, will be part of a discussion panel after the film and will also be available to sign her memoir "Mixed Blessing," which is a must read.

Regina Griffin is the executive producer of "Brown Babies: The Mischlingskinder Story." She is an Emmy award-winning news producer formerly of CBS News and is currently executive producer at WUSA-TV.

Regina, who is passionate about her production, will also be a part of the post film discussion panel shared the following with The Washington Informer.

Unusual Causalities of War

By Regina Griffin

Black History Month is not generally a time when we talk about war and its impact on children and families. But for just a moment, imagine scrubbing your skin raw trying to wash the brown color off, or being taken for a swim only to have a caregiver try to drown you, or being told your only options in life is to become a nun or a prostitute. These are just some of the horrifying stories told in the powerful, award-winning documentary, Brown Babies: The Mischlingskinder Story.

Brown Babies exposes this shameful piece of history that much of the world has forgotten. The film tells the stories of the lives of biracial, bicultural children of African American GIs and German women during post World War II occupation of Germany. These ignored, unwanted and forgotten children were placed in orphanages and left to live without the love and support of their parents and their countries, Germany and the United States.

Making Brown Babies was indeed a labor of love. I poured my heart, soul and resources into this project, believing these stories to be an important part of Black history, of American history, of world history. It has been my hope that people want to learn more about the children born, not just out of post occupation Germany, but during and after any cross cultural conflict. As a journalist, as a storyteller, I wanted to tell the story.

Doris McMillon, whose story is among those featured, is an award winning journalist and CEO of McMillon Communications, Inc. For her, the message underscored in Brown Babies remains relevant even though the events occurred over 60 years ago. "Brown Babies is really a continuation of what has played out in different parts of the world where soldiers from other countries come to fight and end up in relationships with the women of the country they occupy," McMillon said. "As with any war in a foreign country, children conceived out of wedlock are often silent casualties. Their mothers can't afford to keep them and their fathers leave no financial support to take care of these children after the war has ended. I am proud to have our story told and am hopeful that the light shed will promote awareness that transcends race and time," she shared.

Brown Babies: The Mischlingskinder Story won Best Documentary at the 2011 American Black Film Festival. It has been featured on CNN and earned the distinction of Best Film at the African-American Women in Cinema Film Festival (New York City) and was HBO Best Documentary finalist at the 2011 Martha's Vineyard Black Film Festival. Brown Babies continues to garner national and local attention.

To learn more about Brown Babies: The Mischlingskinder Story, schedule interviews and review the schedule for upcoming screenings, visit www.brownbabiesproject.com

"My Brother Marvin,"  the untold story of the late R&B singer Marvin Gaye comes to D.C. for presentations March 5-10 at the Warner Theatre.

Nearly 30 years after Marvin was shot by his father, his sister Zeola Gaye tells the real story of life with her musical genius brother.

Marvin Gaye's story is undisputedly documented in the annals of music history with his continual string of number one and top ten hits, unforgettable duets and larger than life persona. No doubt, from his auspicious introduction to music at an early age until his premature and untimely death at the age of 45 in April 1986, one fact remained undeniably true—Marvin was the voice of his generation.

But, what about the man? What about the influences and people who shaped Marvin, those forces which destroyed Marvin, those who loved Marvin and the family who now carries on the legacy of Marvin?

In this shocking and spellbinding stage play, starring Lynn Whitfield, Clifton Powell, Tony Grant, Keith Washington and Lia Grant, audiences will experience the most candid and revealing story of life with this musical icon that has NEVER been told. Based on the first-hand accounts of Zeola Gaye, "My Brother Marvin" pushes the envelope by revealing Marvin's internal battles, greatest fears and most salacious family secrets.

For more information on My Brother Marvin, log onto www.detroittouringco.com

For ticket information in your city, logo onto www.ticketmaster.com

Follow My Brother Marvin on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/MyBrotherMarvin

The Unique All-arts INTERSECTIONS Festival Returns for its 4th Season

Washington, D.C. -- The Atlas Performing Arts Center announces its fourth annual INTERSECTIONS Festival featuring more than 600 artists in more than 100 performances over three weekends.

In addition to a robust main-stage schedule, Festival Artistic Director Mary Hall Surface has programmed 20 free café concerts and 25 special events to further enhance the audience's experience.

Starting Feb. 22 and running through March 10, the festival will feature a dynamic and diverse arts line-up that reveals the collaborative energy of artists and audiences from D.C. and beyond in boundary-crossing performances and events.

INTERSECTIONS features the best established, emerging, student and community artists with performances in music, theatre, dance, film and visual arts.

The 2013 INTERSECTIONS festival features an energetic and dynamic roster of performers including The Sweater Set, MOVEiUS Dance, SpeakeasyDC, Rachel Ann Cross, Ron Litman and Quynn Johnson. The festival will also include artistic collaborations between Nasar and Kush Abadey, Dissonance Dance and Atlantic Reed Consort and dance companies Spilling Ink and the Kirov Academy of Ballet. Faction of Fools Theatre Company, a first-time INTERSECTIONS participant, will perform as part of the worldwide Commedia dell' Arte Day 2013.

The festival will also present the Washington premiere of Holding It Down: The Veterans' Dreams Project from jazz composer/pianist sensation Vijay Iyer, spoken word phenomenon Mike Ladd with veteran poet Maurice Decaul. This breathtaking performance piece explores the experiences of veterans of color from the Iraq and Afghanistan wars through their dreams

Each Saturday during the festival has been programmed with family-friendly performances and activities. Family themed events include the award-winning and critically-acclaimed musical Sing Down the Moon. Perfect for kids ages 5 and above, Sing Down the Moon delights the whole family using music, dance and puppetry to craft well-known tales (Beauty and the Beast, Cinderella, and more) into a crazy quilt of Appalachian lore, humor and wisdom. Nominated for 5 Helen Hayes Awards, the musical will feature the talented students from the Catholic University of America School of Music.

In addition to its main stage performances and special events, the curated festival will feature emerging and up-and-coming artists in its Washington Post Café Concerts in the Atlas' Kogod Lobby, including Wytold, Sarah Hughes and Cuban born pianist Mari Paz. The café concerts are designed to engage audiences before, during and after festival performances.

Major support for INTERSECTIONS comes from founding sponsor, The FIRE FUND of the Community Foundation for the National Capital Region, which was established to promote interracial understanding and collaboration, as well as founding media sponsor, The Washington Post.

Additional media partners include ABC7/WJLA-TV and News Channel 8, Washington City Paper and The Washington Informer.

Tickets can be purchased at intersectionsdc.org and at the Atlas Box Office at 202.399.7993 ext. 2. For more information about the festival, visit www.intersectionsdc.org.