Esface co-founder Ajani Husbands (second from left) is back on the esface scene as the newest/freshest contributor, keeping you abreast on pertinent issues effecting everyone from the American urban community to our counterparts on the continent of Africa aka “the Motherland”, where he currently resides. Ajani has always been a passionate and outspoken spokesperson for his people here and abroad, with a mother from Barbados and growing up in DC, his exposure to different cultures has shaped his outlook from an early age. Graduating from Stanford University where he left his mark in the black community as one of the most prominent “community activists”, he spent time studying and immersing himself in South Africa before going on to pursue a career with the State Department and currently is posted in Eritrea (east Africa). While in South Africa, he founded the Mamelodi Project (www.mamelodiproject.org) that aims to “promote a positive image of Africa” by documenting/broadcasting aspects of the beautiful country/continent rarely shown in mainstream media.

Enough said.. you get the point, the boy is serious business and will be providing powerful commentary on interesting topics serving to educate and even entertain you at times because I forgot to mention his witty sense of humor that will have you rolling out of your chair while sparking some serious thought. Check the blog EVERY MONDAY for the Ajani aka “ESFACE BLACK” post.

Per Wiki: Angela Davis an American political activist and university professor who was associated with the Black Panther Party for Self Defense and the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee. Davis was also a notable activist during the Civil Rights Movement and a prominent member and political candidate of the Communist Party USA (CPUSA). Since leaving the CPUSA, she continues to identify herself as a democratic socialist and is currently a member of the Committees of Correspondence for Democracy and Socialism.

Angela Davis, the iconic social-justice activist who has been arguably the most well-known University of California-Santa Cruz faculty member of the past two decades, has officially retired as a full-time professor.

Davis, a 17-year professor in the History of Consciousness Department and a former chair of Feminist Studies, has worked mostly with graduate students in recent years as she traveled the globe speaking on prison abolition and matters of oppression. She is a longtime champion of civil liberties and a prolific author on the intersections of class, race, ethnicity, gender and sexual orientation. Read More Here.

Much Respect to one of the most notable black activists and freedom/justice fighters the 20th century.

Fact: Derrion Albert, a high school honor student in Chicago, was murdered on his way back home on September 24th, making headlines everywhere. Accordingly to the Associated Press, this is not the first murder of it’s kind. In 2008, more than 30 students were killed.

Who better to step up and speak on it than superstar rap star Nas, he has always been a community activist with potent lyrics touching on several issues affecting the urban community so he felt the need to send a message to the youth in Chicago and this interview on CNN allows him to share that message along with other thoughts on matter.

Fact: Although Obama’s reviews on the Health Care topic dropped below 50% for the first time in July, after his phenomenal speech last night, accordingly to timesonline.co.uk, “A CNN poll taken immediately after the speech showed a 14 per cent bounce in support for Mr Obama’s proposals, which would make it illegal for insurance companies to drop health coverage because of pre-existing medical conditions and to impose arbitrary limits on what a patient can claim.” Listen to it below and feel free to comment.

Fact: Chris Brown speaks with Larry King about the Rihanna incident, explaining the his plea, the verdict, his feelings towards her and some of his history.

Recent Stanford grad Kamila McDonald just won first place in the beach body contest for the 2009 Miss Jamiaca World Competition last weekend.  Over a month ago, she advance to the top 18 finalist of the 80 who auditioned to compete in the presitious beauty pageant and now she has clinched her spot in the top 10 after winning first in one of the five fast track competitions including the talent competition, beach body contest, online voting people choice and two others.  Right now, Kamila leads the online votes with 20% of the votes (2nd trailing with 17%).  Support this Esface ambassador by CLICKING HERE to vote now (1 time an hour). The theme is “beauty with a purpose”.

Fact: The top 25% of India’s population with the highest IQ’s is GREATER than the total US population…enjoy the rest of the random, valuable trivia facts.

Speak Up! Speak Out!  Week TWO

In honor of the late Michael Jackson’s commitment to promoting unity amongst various cultures and his service to the under-resourced…What role, if any, should the media and/or celebrities play in creating “popsitive” culture?  Why?