30th Anniversary Black August Weekend /7th Annual Happily Natural
Atlanta Schedule of Events
Poets 4 Political Prisoners Friday August 14th
8pm –Midnight Grounds Coffee House 898 Oak St. SW Atlanta, GA 30310
This is an evening that not only highlights the beauty and creativity of our people, but also emphasizes the importance and benefits of community organizing. Poets 4 Political Prisoners is a tool used to educate through the use of poetry and hip-hop, highlighting freedom fighters and activists.
7th Annual Happily Natural Day Saturday August 15th
11am –7pm The South Cobb Recreation Center 875 Six Flags Drive Austell, GA 30168
THE DROP SQUAD ROOM
11:30am Opening words by Minister Server of The Temple of Hip Hop
11:45am Professor Griff (Public Enemy)-Presentation on “Bankers, Politricksters and Destruction of Hip Hop”
1:00 pm Balogun Abeegunde (Afrikan Martial Arts Institute) Nzhinga Mother/Daughter Self Defense Workshop
2:00pm Dr. Mwalimu Baruti (Author/Educator) Presentation -“The Hunt is on”
3:00pm Afya Ibomu (Nutritionist/ Author) will host an informative Vegan Cooking Class
4:00pm Supreme Understanding presentation on “Rap, Race and Revolution”
MAIN STAGE
1:00pm Welcome statement by Kalonji Changa, Founder of The FTP Movement/East Coast Coordinator of The Black August Organizing Committee and Brother Manifest, Founder of Happily Natural Day
1:10pm Dalani Aamon of Harambee Radio
1:20 Peace
1:30 Mojo Swagger
1:40 Soulflower
1:55 Ras Kofi
2:05 Tracy Pierre
2:15 The Reminders
2:30 Black Girl
2:40 The Dubber
2:55 Yejide The Nightqueen
3:10 Zayd Malik (Yung General)
3:20 Boog Brown
3:30 The Package
3:45 Viva Fidel
4:00 Nukola
4:10 Ekundayo
4:20 Khalilah Ali
4:30 Hair & Fashion Show By The Good Hair Shop & DIO Originals
4:55 Salikida
5:05 Rita J
5:20 Mukasa Dada
5:40 Tasleem Jamilah Firdausee
5:55 Precise Science
6:10 Titilayo (African Dance)
6:30 Dhoruba Bin Wahad (Keynote Address)
This is a free event!
Bring the entire Family there will be a children’s section including an indoor Aquatics Center
(Aquatic Center is $2 for children bring their swimwear)
Directions by car from Atlanta -20W Take exit 46B to merge onto Six Flags Dr (15min from Atlanta)
Public Transportation: Take Marta train Westbound (last stop) to Hamilton E. Homes Station. Transfer to Cobb County Transit (CCT) Bus Route #30 (15 minute ride to destination).
30th Annual Black August Commemoration Concert
Doors Open at 9pm - 64 3rd St. NW Atlanta, GA
The 30th Anniversary Commemoration Concert will feature performances by soul sensation Julie Dexter, The A-Alikes, Scienz of Life, The Welfare Poets, Tahir, Precise Science, Ishues, Clan Destined, staHHr, Chosen and more. 12pm-6pm Indian Creek Lodge 900 S. Indian Creek Dr. Stone Mountain, GA 30083 As we are aware, one of our Great Ancestors, Marcus Garvey’s birthday is on August 17th, so in the spirit of the unity in which he aimed for we will conclude the weekend with the Marcus Garvey RBG Family Reunion. The goal of the day is to have a beautiful family gathering of relaxation, swimming, athletic competitions and events for the children. It’s a family affair! For more info email Blackaugustweekend@gmail.com or call 404.437.0828
Marcus Garvey RBG Family Reunion Sunday August 16th
Official BAW Sponsors
Food Clothing Shelter CD
The 7th Happily Natural Dates:
ATL: 8/14-16 Black August Weekend Featuring the 7th Annual Happily Natural Day
RVA: 8/28-29 The 7th Annual Happily Natural Day
The National Happily Natural E-List.
Afya IbomuAfya Ibomu is the author of the Get Your Crochet On! pattern book series, that have sold over 19,000 copies. She is also a Certified Holistic Health Counselor, the CEO of Nattral Unlimited (www.NATTRAL.com) and has been a vegetarian since 1990. She is a celebrity nutritionist and crochet designer working with artists such as Erykah Badu, Common, Dead Prez and Talib Kweli. Afya has recently released her third book the Vegan Soul Food Guide to the Galaxy as well as has a monthly online magazine, Nattral Magazine. Afya currently lives in Atlanta with her husband, stic.man of dead prez and their eight-year-old son Itwela.
Dhoruba Bin WahadDhoruba Bin Wahad is a former Black Panther Party leader from New York. Once a Black Political Prisoner in the USA for nineteen years Bin Wahad is a long time Pan-African activist, writer, and lecturer. His case can be viewed in the critically acclaimed award winning film "Passin it on".
Martina Correia
Martina Correia has led the struggle to win justice for her brother Troy Davis, an innocent man on Georgia's death row, for the last 19 years. Troy has faced three execution dates in the last two years, each of which was called off hours before the deadline.
The Welfare Poets
The Welfare Poets are a collective of activists, educators, and artists together since 1990. Through teaching residencies and workshops, through activism around community struggles and through sharp-edged performances of music that incorporates Hip Hop, Bomba y Plena, Latin Jazz and other rhythms, the Welfare Poets bring information and inspiration to those facing oppression and those fighting for liberation. www.welfarepoets.com
Khalilah AliAs a child of the hip-hop generation and self-proclaimed "conscious lyricist", Khalilah Ali is not your "average" emcee. Khalilah received her B.A. in Literature and her M.Ed. in English Education from Georgia State University. Realizing that education can come from both inside and outside the classroom, Khalilah has been dedicated to ensuring that her students' education comes in a multitude of forms including literature, history, and music.
Ras Kofi
While the borders that separate musical genres continue to fade, on the rise is a new genre known simply as "good music". Rising out of this borderless musical landscape is Ras Kofi, a child of the hip hop generation, a product of the rising reggae revolution and an offspring of South America's political landscape…all of which have shaped his musical offering on the forthcoming album titled Sound Roots, produced by gold selling musical childhood prodigy, The Boyz, now known as the Sunz Of Light. Molded by his Rastafarian spiritual groundation and his vivid experiences as a world traveler, Ras Kofi's music, escaping modern classifications, blends reggae chanting, rapping and singing with lyrics that vividly tell stories, uplift the mental and heal the soul.
BlackGirlBlackGirl. Jaha Asante. HeatherFlo. She's a woman of many names and more than a few professions. Spoken Word Artist, Writer, Teacher, Author, Freelance Writer and the list goes on. Having worked with dead prez, Mike Flo, RockMost, Leo Goetz, Mikkey and more, Jaha's brand of low-key lyricism is unmatched. Stages she has graced include Lenny's Bar, The Metro (Chicago), Harlem Book Fair, and Atlanta's Malcolm X Festival. Comfortable in any arena, whether entertainment, literary, or academic, this unapologetic Chicago-bred talent embodies true womanhood.
staHHrFemale wordsmith staHHr, a self proclaimed “lyrical warrior", has been perfecting her craft and honing her mc skills since the latter part of hip hop "Golden Era". Carving a niche for herself by interweaving intellect and social awareness with pure, unadulterated hip hop, she provides a welcome breath of fresh air. After stellar performances on MF DOOM's "Mm Food" and "Born Like This", King Geedorah's "Take Me to Your Leader" and the Micranots "Obelisk Movements", she blessed the hip hop world her debut album "Almost Neva Was", released by Beatvizion Music.
Rita J.Rita J. blew in from the Windy City a couple of years ago, where she is originally from and got her start in Hip-Hop. She was part of a Hip-Hop collective called Family Tree for a few years and has continued to pursue her passion of rhyming over the last ten years, now performing solo. She has worked with some notables in the hip-hop community, she has shared the mic with J-live, Jungle Bros., Black Spade, Stacy Epps just to name a few.
Minister ServerThe Hiphop Life Coach, a true Hiphoppa that has spent over 25 years dedicated to the development, growth and preservation of Hip Hop culture. He has worked with Nation Time Syndicate, Inc.; a faith-based Hip Hop collective in Atlanta, GA, where he has utilized his skills as a writer, activist, organizer, promoter, speaker, consultant and Executive Director. He is the former producer and co-host of two radio shows on WRFG 89.3FM in Atlanta, GA. In 2003, KRS-One - "the Teacha", named Minister Server as one of his spiritual advisors and appointed him as Minister and National Organizer with the Temple of Hiphop.
Precise ScienceRuffmic & FreedomWriter joined forces to create a melodic journey through the minds and hearts of the Pan-Afrikan Collective Conscious.Ultimately the goal is the liberation of the minds and bodies of a conscious critical mass, so we can reclaim our rightful place in this spiritual existence of human form collectively. Music is one of our weapons in this war, but not the only one.
Tasleem Jamila FirdauseeInternationally known Poet, Singer, Emcee, Musician, Radio Host, Activist and Fashion Designer; Tasleem Jamila Firdausee is creative and innovative fusing Hip-Hop, Soul, Jazz, Blues and African Melodies giving her a universal appeal. With her current CD release "Tasleem", she is touring the world. She has worked with and/or shared the stage with The Last Poets, Lupe Fiasco, Jurassic Five, Ali Shaheed Muhammad, Kindred and the Family Soul just to name a few.
The RemindersThe sound is best described as "soulful" awareness and positivity influence their lyrics, with a focus on harmonizing and bringing a message. After a two year break to raise their children, they are back with a powerful debut record "ReCollect" that will gain them a solid position in the music world.
YejideYejide The Night Queen/Storm The Mama Wize is the CEO of We Manifest Inc., a Brooklyn-based production & performance company; a prolific Hip Hop~Spoken Word lyricist, multi-cultural dancer, writer, natural hairstylist, jewelry & oil creator & NY Paralegal who strives to be the best example for her family & her African people.
Mojo SwaggerLiving every day with a top 5 dead or alive attitude, Mojo Swagger formed the Heart of the hood Entertainment and Music Group in 2002. Since then he has been juggling his artistic career as a writer/recording artist and manager of a small indie recording label. Some of Mojo Swagger recording collaborations have included Raekwon , Alfamega, and Lloyd.
Salakida
A native of Oakland, California living in Atlanta, GA, Salakida has established herself as one to watch. Through her self titled debut “Salakida” we were introduced to her sound, a melodic mix of Soul-pop, hip-hop, rock, and you-name-it that she calls Blippie Funk, or “Black Hippie Funk”. A self described “old fashioned free spirit”, life, love and freedom continue as the main themes on her upcoming sophomore project “The Resurrection.
TahirA member of The People’s Army/RBG camp, Tahir is a revolutionary/visionary with artistic abilities: a revolutionary producer of groups like dead prez, The Roots, Nappy Roots, 69 Boyz, and more. Tahir is also a revolutionary emcee with projects like Homecoming, Recoil and Hood Economics under his belt.
Julie DexterBorn and raised in Birmingham, England of Jamaican parents, Julie Dexter is a world-renowned singer / songwriter who has won numerous international awards. A classically trained musician who writes, arranges, composes and produces, Julie is considered by many to be one of the most important female vocalists of her generation.
www.Juliedexter.com
Scienz of LifeAlways bringing the heat with their amazing stage performances, Scienz of Life has performed internationally in Rome and Milan, Italy, Germany, Paris, France, and Montreux, Switzerland at the prestigious Montreux Jazz Festival. www.Shamanwork.com
Mwalimu BarutiMwalimu K. Bomani Baruti has authored and self-published fifteen books. Of them, a number have specifically dealt with the definition, character and responsibilities of Afrikan warriorhood. A former professor sociology, he and his wife, Ena Yaa, founded Akoben Institute a homeschooling program, which also provides local and internet adult education courses. He is internationally recognized for his lectures, classes and workshops.
The A-AlikesPeoples Army/ RBG Artists/Activists, Alikes (K & Ness) offer a connection to the streets with a concern for the future of the community. Their debut release" I Eat You Eat" on Nervous records helped garner them national press and has lead them to their current project "The Ballot or the Bullet", a film and soundtrack due out soon.
Mukasa DadaFormerly Willie Ricks, this fiery SNCC Legend is known as a movement motivator whose most popular achievement is coining the phrase "Black Power"! Always Ready!
BABA BALOGUN OYABODE ABEEGUNDEHe has written for various magazines on the topic of Afrikan martial arts and self-defense, including Ammo Magazine and Black Belt Magazine.Balogun Oyabode Abeegunde is Master Instructor and Director of the Afrikan Martial Arts Institute. As an actor, screenwriter and film producer, Balogun is featured in two documentaries on the African martial arts, the short film, "The Black Panther: Blood Ties", the martial arts feature film, Champion Road and the feature film "Reynolds’ War, which he wrote, produced, starred in and choreographed. Finally, Balogun is the author of the history making how-to book, "Afrikan Martial Arts: Discovering the Warrior Within".
Kalonji ChangaEast Coast Coordinator of The Black August Organizing Committee and Coordinator of The Free Rap Campaign under the International Committee to Support Imam Jamil Al-Amin (formerly H. Rap Brown). Under Kalonji's direction as Founder/National Chief Coordinator of the FTP Movement, programs such as Feed The People, Siafu Youth Corps, MOBB (Mothers of Black and Brown Babies), Mama's Army and the FTP Artists Collective, have matured and developed.
Supreme UnderstandingAuthor of How to Hustle and Win: A Survival Guide for the Ghetto and Rap, Race and Revolution: Solutions for Our Struggle. Supreme is a highly sought-after lecturer, and his multimedia presentations have engaged diverse audiences of both youth and adults. Supreme has presented on a variety of topics with organizations as diverse as the ACLU, the NAACP, 100 Black Men, the Japanese Ministry of Education, and the US Social Forum.
EkundayoA representative of The Mighty LIUNSDEN CREW. Ekundayo is a true powerhouse. Master emcee, producer and videographer. Father, brother, son, comrade. The truth in the form of a man. Hailing from New York, now in The ATL. Spitting for well over 15 years, an Emcee’s Emcee. Different visions, flows, and sounds. Fire. Light travels.
SoulflowerWith help from artists like India arie, Erykah Badu and Lauryn Hill, new doors have opened in the industry allowing a recording artist like Soulflower to walk through and blow up! On stage Soulflower becomes lightning & thunder, an electric roar. In her over 15 years of performing as an Emcee/singer/poet , Soulflower has performed with some of the biggest recording artists of today and yesterday, Including Lauryn Hill, Erykah Badu, Outkast and The Roots.
Viva FidelViva Fidel, based out of Milwaukee, affectionately uses Hip Hop culture as a tool for youth outreach and social change. Fidel was recently given a "Faces of Hope Award" from Congresswoman Gwen Moore for his volunteer efforts, community programs & entrepreneurial efforts. Fidel has also won awards for his independent film productions & recently has released a free downloadable mixtape of original music entitled "Viva Fidel Vol. 4" available at http://www.thisisvivafidel.ning.com
Zayd (The Yung General)Teaching the ‘Thug Life' doctrine to all those that will listen. Having recorded with known Westcoast artist Nipsey Hussle and the legendary Outlaws and Dead Prez, Zayd is no stranger to hard work and quality musical messages. Not to mention his work as Co-Producer on the ‘Dare 2 Win' album put together by his Godfather, political prisoner Mutulu Shakur (Tupac's Father). With roots in Los Angeles and Atlanta, Ga; Zayd is also a well traveled artist having blessed stages from Cuba to South Africa.
THE DubberTHE Dubber is a Washington,D.C., musician with roots in funk and hip-hop from his years in Los Angeles. His more recent work is anchored in the worldview and sounds of reggae, taking the socio-political side of Bob Marley melding it with the contemporary spin of The Roots. He calls his music "urban folk," and there's more than a little Gil-Scott Heron or Richie Havens in what he does with an acoustic guitar.
taj anwartaj anwar currently serves as the National Coordinator of Mothers of Black/Brown Babies - a community ran organization she started that does everything from providing emergency food baskets, communicating with incarcerated mothers to running an online support community. Taj is also the Coordinator of Crew Love - a series of benefit parties designed to spread the message of change while raising awareness and resources to support political prisoners and to campaign against police violence in the community amongst other things.
PeacePeace has opened up for Angie Stone, placed as finalist in the International Jon Lennon Song Writing Competition for her song entitled, Euphoria. Peace has a style that is versatile, unique, and filled with substance. Peace's presence lights up any stage. Switching from rhyming to melodic rhythms on her guitar, Peace captivates every audience by letting her inner light glow with every word she articulates.
Tracy PierreDancer / Published Poet/ Actress / Model- Tracy Pierre is like a tree, completely grounded in her roots and life purpose. Dance for Tracy is more than the rhythm of a song requiring her to dance. It is more like a pigmentation of her soul's potential.
Professor GriffMinister of Information for the legendary Hip Hop Group, Public Enemy. Professor Griff is definitely one of today's most outspoken activists, lecturers and critics of oppression.