I stopped watching the news a long time ago; it’s terrible.  I mean… there’s no other way to put it.  If I’m not being fed partisan politics, I’m being given filler stories (i.e. “the world’s largest or most popular dog”) or scare stories (i.e. “tune in at 6 to find out what foods at the grocery store can, and WILL, kill you”).  It’s just aweful.

And then I stumble onto this blog article about Stephen Stafford.  And that’s just the thing, it’s not on the news.  I mean, this kid’s story is just about NOWHERE on the national news.  Seriously, where is his 15 minutes?  30 minutes?  Even his 10 minutes on Oprah (equivalent to about 5 hours of television exposure elsewhere… do the math).

The fact alone that he’s a motivational speaker at age 13 is newsworthy enough.  But you add to that him going to college at 13, triple majoring, and getting ready to go to med school, and he’s phenomenal.  Most REGULAR college students can’t do that.

So where is his story?  Well, as much to blame as is the news, I’m going to blame you, the reader.  Us, the community.  If we’re not demanding more stories like Stephen Stafford be shown, then what really do we want?

KRS-One once said “the people really have the government they want.  If they were dissatisfied, they’d be out rebelling right now.”  Let’s substitute “government” for “news.”

Let’s face it.  The only consistently positive coverage we’ve seen of Black people on the news as of late is people getting rescued from rubble in Haiti.  And even that momentum has changed with the news coverage of the missionaries arrested for attempted trafficking.

So what can we do? No one ever writes to their news station.  I’m going to write to my television stations in Washington, D.C. and demand for more coverage of stories like Stephen Stafford.  Stay tuned for a draft letter that YOU can send to your TV stations.

Got the following clip from my LA associate G.Vitte at www.gvitte.com, take some time out to be inspired by one of the most successful entertainers in Hollywood…my man Will Smith.  Be Moved. Stay Esface.

By Ajani Husbands

The same day I read about the ten percent unemployment rate in America, I read about ordinary Americans who became millionaires through basic financial savvy.

Financial times are tough for all.  500,000 workers lost their jobs in January alone (that’s the entire population of smaller countries), and those numbers continued for months.  If you are fortunate enough to still have employment, being financially savvy is no longer a lifestyle choice; it is a must.  At the same time, read about the people in the article above.  They all made certain lifestyle decisions that paid off massive dividends in the long run.  Just as importantly, tightening your belt doesn’t mean losing your day to day swagger.  Here are a few simple tips on reducing your overall expenditures while maintaining the same, and possibly better, lifestyle.

Your Work Outfit:

Dry clean the suits.  Wash and iron the shirts. Dry cleaning costs can add up quickly.  Even if you are hitting up one of the “same day, $1.25 per shirt” stores, you’re talking at least 5 shirts a week (7 if you’re going out on the weekends) and 1 or 2 pairs of khakis.  That’s almost $9.00 each week, $36 a month, $432 a year.  Yea, that’s a cross-country plane ticket.  Now you see what I mean.

While suits are absolutely dry clean only, you can always throw your shirts in the laundry and wake up an hour early to iron them yourself.  Besides, you’ve been running late to work anyway, and with people losing jobs left and right, you might as well start coming early.…
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Fact: For decades, the issue what defines “good hair” has been a controversial topic among many communities, particularly in the Black community. Recently at the Sundance Film Festival in Utah, Chris Rock won an award for his comical yet real documentary entitled “Good Hair” which take a look into the culture and industry of “good hair” around the world. Check out the trailer below and go see it in theaters in October, coming to select theaters Oct. 9th and nationally on the 23rd. Should be a classic documentary, I’ve never been a huge fan of his films (can you name me a classic…non-stand up?) but seems like this style of documentary is right up his ally, much like his stand up comedy. This film is definitely Esface so I’ll probably watch it four times.

The always fashionable Kanye West has recently been interviewed by men.style.com to list his top 10 Must-Have Wardrobe staples!  Click here to see details.  As expected, his recomendations are street cool, luxurious (check out the white tux jacket)…and of course, accessorized with a little Louis Vuitton. Thank you slamhype for the info on one of our favorite, stylish and talented artists.

A talented  group of teens from Venice, CA have created a brilliant software program called Fast Fit 360.  Seeing as the new American trend is to manufacture clothing oversesas, this interactive program allows the client and vendor to have “virtual” fit sessions without having to travel to the factory itself.  “Fast Fit 260″ has been called the “MySpace of Fashion,” by   By reducing the costs of travel and time consuming meetings, businesses can can not only expidite their work flow, but also add more money to their bottom line.  For more info click here to read the entire article from the California Apparel News.

Obama has impressed us with his ability to write, think; now he shows us some serious comedy.  In this quasi-standup comedy show, he clowns Cheney, Clintons and of course, himself.  What a president!  FACT: Obama earned nearly $2.5 million in book royalties in 2008 alone!

Fact: Eastside Prep Varsity Boys (an Esfac’e Endorsed/sponsored team), coached by Esfac’e founder and former Stanford player, Tunde Sobomehin, won the CCS championship on Saturday, March 7th, 2009. Only his second year with the team and with limited personnel, Tunde has done an amazing job cultivating some true champions not only on the court but off court surmounting a number of obstacles that many East Palo Alto youth face due to single-parent households, financial turmoil and many other unfortunate circumstances.

Now they prepare for the Nor Cal Playoffs with their first two games being at their home court at Eastside prep in East Palo alto. We’d love to have you come out and support these warriors on Tuesday and Thursday at 7 pm.

FACT: Writer and director Byron Hunt explores masculinity by looking at the differences and similarities of Barack Obama and 50 cent in 10 minutes. The short film is titled “Barack & Curtis: Manhood, Power & Respect.”

Esface is dedicated to the development of young men in redefining manhood as both popular and positive.  Stay Esface!