“Note that ‘winning people’ choose themselves for success, but much of life (Black life in particular), is based on WAITING to be selected….

“If you know what others do not know, they will want to hear you. You will then become invaluable in your community and to your country, because men and women will want to hear you and see you everywhere…” ~ Marcus Garvey

But I think its strong point – that it’s written like that to talk to who it’s supposed to talk to: the average young Black man in a not so favorable situation…Akil’s writing style MAKES A CONNECT, so by speaking the way he does he encourages people to read who normally would not.

“Wherever human beings are found, there is politics,” he says, so regardless of whether or not we want to be a politician or leader in any formal way, there are lessons we need to learn from them in order to survive and thrive in a world where power-games are constantly being played.

“If you suffer from depression, and your Queen is suffering from anxiety – if you suffer from self hate, and she suffers from light-skin supremacy – you take those 2 sticks of dynamite together, and you’re going to have a massive explosion…that’s what’s going on.” ~ Bro. Umar Johnson

The confidence I need has to be authentic…it has to be an integral part of who I am (not something I just turn on when I’m online), but I’m hesitant about it because I don’t want the people I care about to feel like we can’t relate…

“As an aspiring Grad Student (applications already submitted) success in the contest would be an amazing experience and motivation to move into the world of art. Also, a showing in my hometown would bring an opportunity to unveil all of our artistic history there.” ~ Mensah Imbeigh Bey

Next Wednesday’s radio show is called, “Protecting, Preparing & EMPOWERING OUR YOUNG GIRLS for the Social Challenges & Dangers of Today’s World” and on it I’ll be interviewing Kelsie Morales, a sister who does this for a living.

Today I’d like to tell you about two good friends of mine who are doing their thing: a video-game developer who’s made 5 games thus (all FREE) far and a black novelist who’s currently in a major competition that means a lot to him.

Plus, the way he intertwines metaphysics with today’s social dynamics is also dope…I never heard somebody approach it so holistically like that before either.