by Esface Black

In the run-up to the 2012 election, where President Obama faces perhaps a tougher battle for re-election (a nation divided with the Tea Party poised squarely in the center, stalled job growth, looming unemployment, and ever-present global crises) than he did for his initial victory, it’s plainly evident that the famed post-racial America never came to pass. It seems that every day there’s new evidence to show that not only has America not progressed towards racial harmony over the past few years, but may have actually digressed. The problem persists, though, that bringing up these instances in normal conversation still invokes notions of being racially paranoid. Oh stop it, you’re just putting race into the situation. Comments and internal monologues such as this are allowed to flourish because of the 2008 mythos of having vaulted past race as an identifying factor in America. Unfortunately, we vaulted ourselves not over a bar of achievement, but into a pit of denial and thus further racial angst, as demonstrated by these seemingly separate, but racially entwined examples.

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MLK - image used from The Elephant Journal. click on the image to read their article on MLK- The Betrayal of Silence

by Ajani Husbands

Looking for a good book to inspire you on MLK Day? Most times, we take this time to read more of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King’s works, such as the famed Letter from a Birmingham Jail.  While today is an absolutely fantastic day to learn more about the Rev. Dr. King (I feel COMPELLED to use both of his titles, otherwise we cut short his achievements), to really learn more about his legacy and his importance, today should also be a day to learn about other civil rights leaders, and not just within the United States.  Below is a list of books that would be great to start today, or any day, in order to advance your literary knowledge of and one’s foray into further understanding the Civil Rights Movement.

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Esface has just linked up as a the designer/producer of apparel for the newly announced “I.am w/u mr.pres” movement launched by international music star Will.i.am and other big hollywood names. Read the press release below for more info:

“The i.am W/U MR. PRES Video-Tweet Recording and Mass Twitter- Blast Makes History as it Brings Voices Together on a Different Note at the Record Plant in Hollywood”
A revolutionary Video Twitter campaign envisioned by Will.i.am, Jimmy Jean-Louis, Mikal Kamil, directed by Organizer Bill Duke and produced by GBK Productions and 3Kingdoms Entertainment made history this past weekend
Los Angeles, CA – It was certainly evident that President Obama had many celebrity supporters, as they showed up at the Record Plant in Hollywood, Saturday, November 13 in great numbers. They came out to let him know they care and to express the message “I am not giving up on you. I am not turning my back or deserting you. I believe in your vision, have faith in your ability and thank you for the many things you have accomplished thus far. I recognize there are endeavors that are under-way and have yet to unfold, but “I am with you Mr. President.”
The #iamwumrpres Video Twitter campaign directed by Bill Duke was beautifully received and embraced by Rose and Ed Cherney of the historical Record Plant in Hollywood, who hosted the event. The best part of the evening was the countdown to the Mass Twitter Blast at 7:00 PM. Everyone gathered outside of the Record Plant, filled with joy and laughter, as the headlights from the nearby cars spotlighted the event, while some looked on from the double-decker Fox Pizza Truck as well. The energy was surreal as each person held their phones up ready to send their tweet “#iamwumrpres.” What a night!
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Just received this mass email from the grassroots Color of Change organization. After weeks of recounts and deliberation..history has been made!! Congrats to Kamala, we wish you the best during your term!

Dear Dele,

http://colorofchange.org/kamala/?id=1942-1171378

by Ajani Husbands

Tyler Perry has been a source of inspiration and frustration for Black America for quite some time.  While his movies have a definitive following, particularly among church-going mothers who simply want to see Black people in a positive light while having a good laugh, they also have definitive detractors, read: Aaron McGruder and everyone who loves Boondocks.  Though the Black community may be divided on Tyler Perry’s merit, white America is baffled by his love of Blackness.

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Raspire music president, Richie, and their #1 artist straight out of Jamaica to the Bay, Calico aka “Scaddy”, stopped the MMAP HQ / Esface offices Monday to discuss the next line of Raspire Logo wear that they will be offering to the public during their Summer bay area Tour beginning this Saturday. Before the meeting even started, I got the unique opportunity to be the first customer to cop the new Inna Di Dance album that just dropped hot off the press….been slappin the album for about 3 days now and let me tell you…the album has HEAT. Waste no time to purchase your copy either physical or digital from www.raspiremusic.com.

Esface stands behind the Raspire movement as they align with the positive culture we promote through the art form of hot music- a fusion of hip hop, dancehall and reggae. One luv

by Ajani Husbands
(Esface Black)

It’s about setting a higher standard.  There was a time when Black musicians were activists, almost by default.  This is what we’re missing from the Lena Horne generation and the creativie genius of Guru.  We have lost voices who put social consciousness ahead of personal gain.  No, that’s not quite accurate.  For these two, there could be no personal gain without a social conscious.
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The highly anticipated Iphone 4 was finally unveiled by Steve Jobs this morning…be the first to watch his introduction to the “unbelievable” newly designed Apple iphone with over 100 new features, this video covers the top EIGHT.

I’m still an avid blackberry user and evangelist however I’m a bigger fan of Apple product design/superiority so it was only a matter of time before I converted my phone game…this could do it. If could have both I would but that’s a bit frivolous. Nuff said, check it out…

more specs from the apple website, click here.

So I just received a word from esface affiliate/friend Vaman about a new website that, to me, will fill the void left by known music website Imeem.com that was obliterated from the internet after being swallowed by Myspace.com. Without further ado, welcome grooveshark.com to the online music scene.

From what I’ve gathered with my limited recent experience, Grooveshark allows you to search a database of millions of tracks to stream music with customized playlists and share them with friends on various platforms. That’s the long and short, there are plenty more features I’ve yet to play with.

Let me stop here and let you set up an account and start enjoying your musical cyber experience.
grooveshark.com
Stay Esface. -D Sobo

Team Esface Athletics Movement (”TEAM ESFACE”) is an athletic-based youth training and development organization aimed at providing the best athletics coaching to boys and girls in order to achieve positive returns on and off the training arena. Founded in 2005 as a natural offshoot of Esface, Inc, TEAM ESFACE started as an individual training program and has since developed into sponsoring and hosting camps, clinics and high school/NJB/AAU teams along the peninsula of the SF Bay Area.

This Spring Team Esface proudly announces their first AAU team, a 6th grade group under the leadership and direction of Dele Sobomehin (Esface Founder/CEO). These diverse set of boys come from as far as San Francisco but mainly hail from the peninsula cities like Foster City, San Carlos, and Palo Alto areas.  Taking home their first Championship in their first tournament in April, they have already became a formidable opponent to the many elite programs in the area.  Last weekend, they won their second Gold at the Team Hoop tournament that included competitive teams from the same area and as far as Santa Cruz.   Below is a highlight from their first tournament and a picture of the most recent championship.