Category Archive for ‘community’ at Jasiri

Archive for the 'community' Category

Obama: Change We Can Believe In?

Published by dara on April 1, 2008 in Greensboro, North Carolina, Obama, community, inspiration, pics and politics. 0 Comments

change we can believe in Admittedly, I hate politics. I’ve always felt politicians were legal con artists. Smooth talkers who spit the right game to get what they want. I’m hoping Obama is different. I feel that Obama is different. And history says my gut feelings are usually correct.

Last week, I had the pleasure of being in the same room with this man (albeit a very large room and I was lucky to catch glimpses of him through the photogs legs who were on elevated risers in front of me). But I was there. I saw him. I heard him. And I can tell you, Obama has a presence that automatically uplifts you when he walks in the room. Charisma and humor oozes from this man. He was comfortable on stage, and it was evident to everyone in that room (I’m sure of it). Either he’s the real thing…or he’s a damn good actor. Again, my instinct tells me the former is true. When Obama speaks, it feels as if a common, (extra)ordinary man is speaking…not a politician. Continue reading ‘Obama: Change We Can Believe In?’

Families We Create

Published by dara on November 9, 2007 in Greensboro, community, family, nablopomo and pics. 3 Comments

me and Storm I have a huge family –6 sisters and 2 brothers– and I love them all very much. But have you ever thought about how we’re expected to show love, devotion, and allegiance to these people with whom we were randomly thrown together?

Tonight I was going through one of my old email accounts and came across an email from a very special person (whom I’ll call Sky). Sky was one of the members of what we termed: The Body Ecology Family. I began working there in 2000, and worked off and on (during school breaks from DC) for 2 years. Wow, those were some great times. These were people I not only chose to work with, but also love and share my joys and pain with. I was closer to this family than I’ve ever been to some of the members of my blood family.

Sky is a graduate of, and also an employee of The New College in San Francisco. I really miss him. He is one of the sweetest and most sincere people I’ve ever met. After all these years, I still truly consider him to be a member of my family.

My Excitement Runneth Over

Published by dara on September 16, 2007 in Greensboro, arts & entertainment, community, film and music. 1 Comment

I am both proud and excited about my recent personal acheivements and the upcoming events taking place here in NC. First, I FINALLY have my new blog up and running. Let me tell you, I purchased the domain name quite some time ago, but I only recently began posting onto the site. I’m fairly excited because I’ve wanted to start a blog dealing with this sort of information for over a year now. Last year’s Vloggercon was the beginning, but that trip went sour. And after that, my motivation took a dip and I put the site on the back burner. So far, I love writing posts on the new blog because not only am I educating others (hopefully), but I’m learning so much myself about the world of online video.

Second, I photographed my first wedding last month. The location was Appamattox, VA; the bride is a friend and co-worker of my sister, Amani (she recommended me); and it was so BEAUTIFUL! I was nervous because the couple was trusting me to capture the memories of such a special occasion. But the newlyweds were pleased and I was just so happy that they were thrilled with the job I did. I’ll post a few of the photos soon.

Ok, now it’s party time! I have soooo been looking forward to the NuFacesNC Launch Party. The show will feature Camp Lo (you know…”This is it, what?! Luchini pourin from the sky. Let’s get rich, what?!). Man I used to love that song. Anyway, I haven’t partied hard in a loooong time, and next Friday will be the night for me to let loose!

Next on the agenda is The Dave Matthews Band Concert coming to Raleigh Sept. 18, and to Charlotte Sept. 19. I saw them last in 2005, and the time before that was summer 2001! A few months ago there was no question about my face being in the place but now, because of the event below, I just don’t know if I’ll be able to afford it…or have a sitter lined up

COMMON is coming to Greensboro! Yup! Sept. 28. I have been counting down the days. Have loved him ever since I first saw the “I Used To Love H.E.R.” video when I was 14 (back when he was Common Sense). Whew! I can’t wait!!!!!

And last, I’m anticipating this year’s ConvergeSouth which is right around the corner. I wasn’t able to attend last year’s event (a preggers me just wasn’t in the mood). There are some new and exciting editions to this year’s conference. There will be the first annual ConvergeSouth Film Festival, which I believe is still accepting film submissions; and ConvergeSouth Music will be entertaining us downtown during the after hours . And it’s quite clear this is a down-home, southern conference.

So that’s what’s on my plate. Cheers!

Mocha Moms

Published by dara on June 22, 2007 in Greensboro, community and motherhood. 2 Comments

~~Tonight~~ Last night I was perusing the internet searching for blogs that deal with parenting. In particular, I was looking for sites that focus on mothers, stay-at-home moms, and black mothers (by the way, there are not many of this sort out there–or at least I have yet to find many). In my search I came across Mocha Moms, “a support group for mothers of color.” To my surprise I discovered they have a chapter right here in Greensboro! This local chapter holds support meetings every Wednesday. How about that! For four months I’ve been periodically checking with Meetup to see if someone had decided to form a group for black stay-at-home moms, so I’m excited to have found out about Mocha Moms. I’m in desperate need of contact with other moms so next week I’ll check it out to see if Me and They are a good fit.

41 Layoffs at the News and Record

Published by dara on June 9, 2007 in Greensboro, community and media. 0 Comments

I was talking to my mom today and she asked if I heard about the 41 employees laid off at the Greensboro News and Record. No I had not heard…not on the TV, and not on the radio. But, when I researched online, I found a short article as well as a brief blog post about the matter. In the article, the N&R posits the layoffs were the result of a “business reorganization.” It goes on to describe the “changing media environment” and the resulting effect on the newspaper industry:

The expanding use of the Internet for news, information and advertising has placed traditional news companies in an increasingly competitive environment. Many newspaper companies, including the News & Record, are in the process of reinventing themselves to serve customers in new and different ways.

The blog post, written by N&R editor, John Robinson, laid out facts but gave no specifics. In an update post, Robinson states:

Next week we’ll begin reinventing the paper…The reinvention will center on:

Public service journalism, including enterprise, investigative and community.

Being audience-centric, not format-centric. A faster movement into online and mobile.

Innovation and experimentation. We can create better cool, useful stuff.

This new focus not only sounds good, it is a necessity in an age where citizen journalism and the Internet are becoming integral parts of our lives. As Robinson is N&R editor, I decided to check what the other folks were talking about. Ed Cone did his research and reported a source as saying:

Some newsroom reporters learned about the layoffs when they got calls from other newsrooms. I’m so angry. There are a lot of really good people that I’m not going to see in this office again.

Continue reading ‘41 Layoffs at the News and Record’

Farewell 2006

Published by dara on December 31, 2006 in community, culture and family. 0 Comments

As I sit here engaged in my ritualistic viewing of CBS Sunday Morning and thinking about the festivities of last night, my thoughts drift to the events of the past year and what I hope to accomplish in the coming year. Call it what you want but I rejected the idea of the New Year’s Resolution many years ago–this is what I like to refer to as an introspection and a realigning of my priorities. 2006 was interesting, to say the least. I recall telling my sister that it was both the best (a tie with 1998) and worst year that I have experienced. This year friends entered my life who will forever change me, and I was sent an unexpected but precious gift, which I’ll be able to unwrap in about a month. So what made it a bad year? In addition to the wonderful new people in my life, there were also bittersweet memories of friends lost. However, the single most important factor that contributed to the bad aspect of the year was my negative thinking. Post-high school I’ve always considered myself to be a confident and self-assured individual, but this confidence was put to the test this year. When facing difficulties with loved ones, I doubted myself; I doubted my choices, my level of strength, and the love that I was capable of receiving. Relationships suffered, I pushed people away, and relished my solitude while simultaneously recognizing that this self-imposed solitude was the opposite of what I needed.

Last night, surrounded by beautiful people, I realized what’s important–community, family, and reveling in those moments that make us the happiest. One of the speakers last night said that 2007 is going to be the year of no procrastination or excuses…and to that I’ll add no pessimism or negative thinking. I must realize that hardships will always be just around the corner but the determining factor in how I will survive these trials is the content of my thoughts. There’s nia (purpose) to everything that we experience and in 2007 I’m getting back on track to remembering my purpose. You, you, and you will not shake me!

Happy New Year!