Journalist and AIDS activist Kai Wright was the keynote speaker at a town hall meeting on black men’s health and sexuality put on by the AIDS Action Committee during its World AIDS Day commemorations Dec. 7. Wright has been writing about sexual health for over 10 years, and spends much of his time going around the country, speaking before both people of color and LGBT communities.
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On June 20 I attended Blogging While Brown (BWB), the only conference for bloggers of color. I went because I go to many technology conferences all the time, but I am usually the only person of color and/or issues that would be of interest to my community are never addressed. So, it was great to meet other black Web content users who technology as an outlet for getting information out and organizing for change.
I thought it was also interesting to note the number of women at the conference. According to conference organizer Gina McCauley, approximately 80 percent of the attendees were women.
What was also interesting was the social media revolution happening in the aftermath of Iran’s elections also going on during this conference. Many attendees I spoke to wondered if the events following Hurricane Katrina or even the civil rights movement of the 1960s would have transpired differently if today’s technologies had been around at the time.
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Hill Harper is an actor and best-selling author who is best known for his role as Sheldon Hawkes on the popular show CSI: NY. He was a panelist at the Lincoln Centennial town hall meeting at Northeastern University on Oct. 3. Harper is a graduate of Brown University, Harvard’s John F. Kennedy School of Government and Harvard Law School, where he befriended fellow student Barack Obama. During his years at Harvard, he was a full-time member of Boston’s Black Folks Theater Company, one of the oldest and most acclaimed black theater troupes in the country.
Harper said that acclaimed actor Paul Robeson is one of his role models.
“He was an activist, actor and entertainer like me,” Harper said. “You should look up to people – living or dead – who raise the bar and try to make a difference in the world.”
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Jamaicaway Books and Gifts is New England’s only bookstore that provides a selection of multicultural literature, educational resources, art and cultural artifacts from around the world. Last year the store celebrated its tenth year in business. Jamaicaway Books is best known for its book readings and Sunday afternoon jazz sessions. Some of the many famous authors who have done book readings at the store include Walter Mosley, Sindiwe Magona, Tim Reid, Wesley Brown and Sister Souljah. The store also supports local authors through extensive readings and signings. Activist Mel King read from his latest book of poetry, Streets, during the store’s National Poetry Month celebrations last April.
See the interview here