HBCUs: Blacks in Technology Convening at Stanford

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October 30, 2013

Pitch Mixer founder Ayori Selassie talks blacks in tech at HBCU summit at Stanford. Photo Credit: Google Images — Pitch Mixer founder Ayori Selassie talks blacks in tech at HBCU summit at Stanford.
Photo Credit: Google Images

NPR is reporting that representatives from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) are meeting this week to talk about African Americans in the tech world.

According to a recent study by the National Science Foundation, Black men and women made up 5 percent of scientists and engineers working in their field in 2010. NPR guest host Celeste Headlee spoke with two technologists — Ayori Selassie and Greg Greenlee — about who we’re not paying attention to and what can be done about the issue of diversity in the tech world. Dillard University President Walter Kimbrough also joined the conversation letting listeners know that the ‘Black Steve Jobs’ is out there. We just need to look harder.

Check out excerpts from the interview below:

Ayori Selassie, Founder of Pitch Mixer Entrepreneur Forum, On The Importance Of Mentors

“Guess what. We’re not going to see that development in that African-American Steve Jobs if he’s not being mentored. You know, Steve Jobs was mentored by a lot of amazing people including one of the CEO’s of Intel and all sorts of other people. And what they do is they get in there, they work with you, they help you through these challenges and they share the network, they sponsor you and they support you. That’s what we have to have. That’s why that cross-cultural exchange is so important. Because if we don’t start integrating and having real diversity and different people involved in our friendships and relationships, and in our companies, then we’re not gonna have that mentorship that crosses the racial line.”

Dillard University President Walter Kimbrough On The Role Of Historically Black Colleges And Universities

“Members of the HBCU community [are working to] find new avenues such as this upcoming HBCU conference to talk about innovation at the institutions where we develop strategies so that HBCUs in particular can help faculty members develop practices and work with Silicon Valley so that we provide more opportunities for technology which will hopefully then generate companies that can fund those institutions as well as provide support for students. So there are some unique and exciting things that are happening there.”

To read more excerpts of the interview or to listen to the interview, visit NPR.

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India Arie Returns to Spotlight with 'SongVersation'

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October 30, 2013

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India Arie performs at Cobb Energy Centre in Atlanta, Ga. Photo Credit: Eugenia “Stellar” Williams/Stellar Productions — India Arie performs at Cobb Energy Centre in Atlanta, Ga.
Photo Credit: Eugenia “Stellar” Williams/Stellar Productions

India.Arie’s music speaks loud and clear. The Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter, guitarist and Atlanta native delivered a memorable Oct. 18 homecoming performance at Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre.

Arie performed material from her fifth LP, SongVersation, as well as her preceding critically acclaimed efforts. SongVersation, in particular, continues the honest performer’s ability to express her empowered, prideful thoughts on love (“Moved By You,” “Cocoa Butter” ), relationships, womanhood, success (“Life I Know”), family (“Flowers,” “Brothers’ Keeper”), spirituality and confidence (“Just Do You”).

During Arie’s performance of “Soulbird Rise,” her mother, Joyce Simpson, who also designed Arie’s white dress, joined the performer onstage to deliver rousing operatic vocals. Arie, smiling almost the entire two-and-a-half hour set, glided across the stage like a ballerina. Feeling the music, she even broke out doing the Bankhead Bounce.

Arie, periodically scrolling on her iPad, glowed as the audience sang along and screamed her name. At one point in the show, the vocalist shared candidly with the crowd that she overcame pressure from the music industry over her lyrical content. Often exhausted and overwhelmed, she stifled her songwriting just to please executives and critics.

“You can’t live your life based on other people’s expectations. My testimony is a process: breakdown, breakthrough, break out of the shell, elevate and fly. This is so cool. Thank you all for still being here,” says Arie.

Arie opened the show with a rendition of “This Little Light of Mine” followed by her debut single, “Video.” When Arie performed “I Am Not My Hair,” she snatched off her head wrap and long extensions to show off her natural hair. Arie’s encore performance of “Ready For Love” featured the performer playing a flute solo.

Arie also performed “Little Things,” “The One,” “Back to the Middle,” “Simple,” “The Truth” and “Brown Skin.” A pixelated monitor flashing candlelight, pastoral vignettes and various quotes accompanied Arie in the rear.

“This is not a concert. We start [SongVersation] with a prayer. It’s being human. It’s about remembering and honoring the divinity inside of all of us,” says Arie.

Strumming and plucking acoustic soul MTV Unplugged/VH-1 Storytellers-style, the soft spoken yet spirited Arie made it a point to give the sold out audience solid instructions. “Watch the show with your eyes, ears and heart. Pay special attention to the lyrics. They’re pivotal to the mission we carry. Be open to see how it feels and how music and spirit can move you,” says Arie.

Christopher A. Daniel is a pop cultural critic and music editor for The Burton Wire. He is also a contributing writer for Urban Lux Magazine and Blues & Soul Magazine. Follow Christopher @Journalistorian on Twitter.

Like The Burton Wire on Facebook. Follow us on Twitter @TheBurtonWire.

India Arie Returns to Spotlight with ‘SongVersation’

By

TheBurtonWire

-

October 30, 2013

0

India.Arie’s music speaks loud and clear. The Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter, guitarist and Atlanta native delivered a memorable Oct. 18 homecoming performance at Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre.

Arie performed material from her fifth LP, SongVersation, as well as her preceding critically acclaimed efforts. SongVersation, in particular, continues the honest performer’s ability to express her empowered, prideful thoughts on love (“Moved By You,” “Cocoa Butter” ), relationships, womanhood, success (“Life I Know”), family (“Flowers,” “Brothers’ Keeper”), spirituality and confidence (“Just Do You”).

During Arie’s performance of “Soulbird Rise,” her mother, Joyce Simpson, who also designed Arie’s white dress, joined the performer onstage to deliver rousing operatic vocals. Arie, smiling almost the entire two-and-a-half hour set, glided across the stage like a ballerina. Feeling the music, she even broke out doing the Bankhead Bounce.

Arie, periodically scrolling on her iPad, glowed as the audience sang along and screamed her name. At one point in the show, the vocalist shared candidly with the crowd that she overcame pressure from the music industry over her lyrical content. Often exhausted and overwhelmed, she stifled her songwriting just to please executives and critics.

“You can’t live your life based on other people’s expectations. My testimony is a process: breakdown, breakthrough, break out of the shell, elevate and fly. This is so cool. Thank you all for still being here,” says Arie.

Arie opened the show with a rendition of “This Little Light of Mine” followed by her debut single, “Video.” When Arie performed “I Am Not My Hair,” she snatched off her head wrap and long extensions to show off her natural hair. Arie’s encore performance of “Ready For Love” featured the performer playing a flute solo.

Arie also performed “Little Things,” “The One,” “Back to the Middle,” “Simple,” “The Truth” and “Brown Skin.” A pixelated monitor flashing candlelight, pastoral vignettes and various quotes accompanied Arie in the rear.

“This is not a concert. We start [SongVersation] with a prayer. It’s being human. It’s about remembering and honoring the divinity inside of all of us,” says Arie.

Strumming and plucking acoustic soul MTV Unplugged/VH-1 Storytellers-style, the soft spoken yet spirited Arie made it a point to give the sold out audience solid instructions. “Watch the show with your eyes, ears and heart. Pay special attention to the lyrics. They’re pivotal to the mission we carry. Be open to see how it feels and how music and spirit can move you,” says Arie.

Christopher A. Daniel is a pop cultural critic and music editor for The Burton Wire. He is also a contributing writer for Urban Lux Magazine and Blues & Soul Magazine. Follow Christopher @Journalistorian on Twitter.

Like The Burton Wire on Facebook. Follow us on Twitter @TheBurtonWire.

'The TLC Story' Makes Vh1 Ratings History But What Got Left Out?

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TheBurtonWire

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October 23, 2013

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TLC Story

Wilson Morales of Blackfilm.com is reporting that Vh1s biopic Crazy, Sexy, Cool: The TLC Story, a film chronicling the highs and lows of the best-selling female singing group of all time is a ratings smash for the cable network. The film had 4.5 million viewers, making it the highest-rated original cable movie of 2013 and VH1’s highest-rated original movie since the network debuted in 1985. According to SocialGuide, the biopic was the most-tweeted program on television Monday night, generating 1.92 million tweets with the hashtag #CrazySexyCool.

In an exclusive interview with the film’s director, Charles Stone III (Drumline, Mr. 3000), Morales covers topics ranging from how Stone became attached to the project to the unflattering portrayal of Perri ‘Pebbles’ Reid to what got left out of the film, like Tionne ‘T-Boz’ Watkins’ high-profile marriage to West Coast rapper Mack 10. Check out an excerpt from the interview below:

BF: In looking at the record breaking ratings, why do you think so many people watched it (the film)?

CS: As much as I would love to find a way to toot my own horn, I can’t because it’s TLC. If you look at their history, the vibration that resonated from their albums is tremendous. They stood for something. They stood for the point of view of young women. They weren’t a flash in the pan, even though they had done four albums, three of which did very well, and two of which has a five year gap in between. That’s incredible and it shows how much love and respect people had for the group. That’s the 4.5 million viewers, and also VH1 did a good marketing job. If the film isn’t good, people will tweet you out of the theater or off television. There is something to be said about what Pop Films created. It’s TLC and they are so beloved.

BF: What about the portrayal of Perri “Pebbles” Reid? The responses on Twitter were not kind to her as the film played Monday night. Was there any thought to getting feedback from her so it didn’t appear to be a one-sided view from TLC?

CS: There are two things to that. From the point of view from T-Boz and Chilli, what they told was really just hitting the surface in terms of the stuff that was going on that people would consider to be really funky. What they tell me and what they have to the press is that everything that is expressed in the film is based in truth. They didn’t distort anything that makes her seem worse that she was. What’s in the film is the lighter version of what Pebbles apparently did or apparently said. Part of it is also, and we all agreed upon this to a certain extent; and it my goal to show the humanity in regards to Pebbles…

Read Wilson Morales’ entire interview with Charles Stone III at Blackfilm.com.

Like The Burton Wire on Facebook. Follow us on Twitter @TheBurtonWire.

‘The TLC Story’ Makes Vh1 Ratings History But What Got Left Out?

By

TheBurtonWire

-

October 23, 2013

3

TLC Story

Wilson Morales of Blackfilm.com is reporting that Vh1s biopic Crazy, Sexy, Cool: The TLC Story, a film chronicling the highs and lows of the best-selling female singing group of all time is a ratings smash for the cable network. The film had 4.5 million viewers, making it the highest-rated original cable movie of 2013 and VH1’s highest-rated original movie since the network debuted in 1985. According to SocialGuide, the biopic was the most-tweeted program on television Monday night, generating 1.92 million tweets with the hashtag #CrazySexyCool.

In an exclusive interview with the film’s director, Charles Stone III (Drumline, Mr. 3000), Morales covers topics ranging from how Stone became attached to the project to the unflattering portrayal of Perri ‘Pebbles’ Reid to what got left out of the film, like Tionne ‘T-Boz’ Watkins’ high-profile marriage to West Coast rapper Mack 10. Check out an excerpt from the interview below:

BF: In looking at the record breaking ratings, why do you think so many people watched it (the film)?

CS: As much as I would love to find a way to toot my own horn, I can’t because it’s TLC. If you look at their history, the vibration that resonated from their albums is tremendous. They stood for something. They stood for the point of view of young women. They weren’t a flash in the pan, even though they had done four albums, three of which did very well, and two of which has a five year gap in between. That’s incredible and it shows how much love and respect people had for the group. That’s the 4.5 million viewers, and also VH1 did a good marketing job. If the film isn’t good, people will tweet you out of the theater or off television. There is something to be said about what Pop Films created. It’s TLC and they are so beloved.

BF: What about the portrayal of Perri “Pebbles” Reid? The responses on Twitter were not kind to her as the film played Monday night. Was there any thought to getting feedback from her so it didn’t appear to be a one-sided view from TLC?

CS: There are two things to that. From the point of view from T-Boz and Chilli, what they told was really just hitting the surface in terms of the stuff that was going on that people would consider to be really funky. What they tell me and what they have to the press is that everything that is expressed in the film is based in truth. They didn’t distort anything that makes her seem worse that she was. What’s in the film is the lighter version of what Pebbles apparently did or apparently said. Part of it is also, and we all agreed upon this to a certain extent; and it my goal to show the humanity in regards to Pebbles…

Read Wilson Morales’ entire interview with Charles Stone III at Blackfilm.com.

Like The Burton Wire on Facebook. Follow us on Twitter @TheBurtonWire.

South Africa: Blocked Life-Saving Meds May Get Second Chance

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October 23, 2013

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South Africa's intellectual property laws blocking the availability of drugs to fight drug-resistant Tuberculosis. (Photo Credit: Google Images) — South Africa’s intellectual property laws blocking the availability of drugs to fight drug-resistant Tuberculosis. (Photo Credit: Google Images)

Writing for Ground Up (Capetown), Marcus Low is reporting that a life-saving drug to combat drug-resistant tuberculosis (TB) is being blocked by outdated patent laws. Pfizer produces Linezolid, a drug that combats drug resistant TB, which costs R676 ($69.10 US) per pill per day. The pill must be taken every day for two years, which makes it cost prohibitive for most patients.

Due to this cost and Pfizer’s unwillingness to decrease the cost of the pill, doctors want to treat patients with a generic brand of the drug produced in India, which costs R25 per pill ($2.56 US). The problem is that due to outdated patent laws, doctors cannot legally import the generic form of the drug into the country.

In September, South Africa’s Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) released the much-anticipated draft National Policy on Intellectual Property (IP) for public comment, which will be the first time that intellectual property laws have been revised in decades.

Low writes:

It [the policy] provides an opportunity to recalibrate the existing framework to better serve the public interest. Section 27 of the Constitution places an obligation on the state to take reasonable legislative measures to ensure the progressive realization of the right to access healthcare, and to consider the impact policy will have on people’s daily lives. This process cannot be allowed to be hijacked by narrow economic interests.

The draft policy explicitly acknowledges that access to healthcare must be considered when developing patent law. The drafters understand that access to generic medicines, like the Indian generic of linezolid, is in the public interest. This is a major step in the right direction – for which the DTI must be commended.

Read more about this issue at AllAfrica.com.

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Ethiopia: Jailed Journalists Challenge Anti-Terrorism Conviction

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October 21, 2013

1

Award-winning journalists Eskinder Nega and Reeyot Alemu were imprisoned under Ethiopia's Anti-Terrorism Proclamation for writing articles critiquing the government. (Photo Credit: Google Images) — Award-winning journalists Eskinder Nega (l) and Reeyot Alemu (r) were imprisoned under Ethiopia’s Anti-Terrorism Proclamation for writing articles critiquing the government.
(Photo Credit: Google Images)

AllAfrica.com is reporting that two Ethiopian journalists imprisoned under Ethiopia’s anti-terror laws have appealed to the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights arguing that their conviction and imprisonment for alleged terrorist activity violates their right to freedom of expression and to a fair trial.

The author writes:

“Veteran journalist and blogger Eskinder Nega and freelance journalist Reeyot Alemu were convicted of terrorist activity for articles criticising the Ethiopian government and accused of using their right to free speech as a cover for terrorist activity.

Mr. Nega and Ms. Alemu are just two of many journalists imprisoned for voicing opposition since the Anti-Terrorism Proclamation was introduced in 2009. In 2011, more journalists went into exile from Ethiopia than from any other country. Those imprisoned face conditions of detention which fail to meet basic human rights standards, including the denial of the right to receive visitors. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, the African Commission, and a number of UN special reporters have all criticized the use of the overly broad and vague provisions of the Anti –Terrorism Proclamation such as ‘encouraging terrorism’ to imprison journalists, opposition party members and other dissenting voices.”

In July 2012, Mr. Nega was sentenced to 18 years in prison. Ms. Alemu was initially sentenced to 14 years in prison, which was reduced to five years upon appeal. Award-winning journalists, Nega and Alemu shared the 2012 Human Rights Watch Hellman-Hammett Award.

AfroPunk: Jean Grae Continues The Story of the Assassin

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TheBurtonWire

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October 21, 2013

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Jean Grae drops her latest EP, Gotham Down: Cycle 1: Love in Infinity (Photo Credit: Google Images)

Writing for AfroPunk, Niesha Miller chronicles hip-hop artist Jean Grae‘s latest project “Gotham Down: cycle 1: Love in Infinity (Lo-Fi).” The six-track EP follows the Gotham Down series Grae started ten years ago shortly after the release of her Bootleg of the Bootleg EP.

Miller writes:

“Grae says: ‘I think all of our past, present and future spaces are intertwined, all folded into each other. If you change your present, it changes your future and your past. If you recognized that you had the ability to knowingly jump around in space-time, you would definitely shift things, either for the best or not. Basically, it’s a kick-ass story about the good and evil within us, our abilities to do superhuman things, and the understanding of our place in the multiverse. And boys.’”

Listen to more of Jean Grae’s latest project at AfroPunk.

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2013 BET Hip-Hop Awards: RHOH and TDE Cyphers Rock!

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October 18, 2013

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NSFW (Not Safe for Work) – May not be suitable for children under age 18.

The cast of BET's The Real Husbands of Hollywood cypher on the 2013 BET Hip-Hop Awards. (Photo Credit: Google Images) — The cast of BET’s The Real Husbands of Hollywood cypher on the 2013 BET Hip-Hop Awards. (Photo Credit: Google Images)

Say what you will about BET’s 2013 Hip-Hop Awards, but one of the most enjoyable elements of the broadcast are the rap cyphers. Each year, rap crews demonstrate their mic skills on the Hip-Hop awards show. Heading into the weekend, we wanted to highlight two cyphers where rappers and non-rappers rocked the mic. For your weekend pleasure check out the TDE (Top Dawg Entertainment) crew (featuring soon-to-be rap legend Kendrick Lamar) and the men from Real Husbands of Hollywood cypher (featuring the hilarious cast including Kevin Hart, Boris Kodjoe, JB Smoove, Nelly, Duane Martin and Nick Cannon).

NSFW (Not Safe for Work) – May not be suitable for children under age 18.

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Trinidad Hit By Second Earthquake This Week

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October 18, 2013

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Trinidad and Tobago has been rocked by earthquakes this week. Photo Credit: Google Images — Trinidad and Tobago has been rocked by earthquakes this week.
Photo Credit: Google Images

Caribbean 360 is reporting that Trinidad has been hit by a second earthquake this week. The author reports:

“Trinidad and Tobago was jolted Wednesday by an earthquake with a magnitude of 3.9 less than a week after the oil rich twin island republic was shaken by one with a 6.4 magnitude.

The Trinidad-based Seismic Unit of the University of the West Indies (UWI) said that the new quake was located north of the Paria Peninsula and occurred at around 7.19 am (local time).

It said it had a depth of 64 kilometers and was 10.89 degrees north, 62.21 degrees west. There were no reports of injuries or damage.

On Friday night, the earthquake also rattled Grenada and St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Guyana forcing electricity cuts in several areas of Trinidad.”

The Burton Wire

HBCUs: Blacks in Technology Convening at Stanford

India Arie Returns to Spotlight with 'SongVersation'

India Arie Returns to Spotlight with ‘SongVersation’

'The TLC Story' Makes Vh1 Ratings History But What Got Left Out?

‘The TLC Story’ Makes Vh1 Ratings History But What Got Left Out?

South Africa: Blocked Life-Saving Meds May Get Second Chance

AfroPunk: Jean Grae Continues The Story of the Assassin

2013 BET Hip-Hop Awards: RHOH and TDE Cyphers Rock!

Trinidad Hit By Second Earthquake This Week

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