Rapanzel, Rapanzel, it will grow back girl.

 


"When I take my braids out, my hair is past my shoulders." "Oh my gosh, her hair is so long!". These are the repetitive comments that I hear from my students interacting with each other on a daily basis. The students who I teach are predominately African American and it amazes everyday to listen to their opinions about the standards of 'true beauty'. It also baffles me when they react to the way I wear my hair. One day, I may where extensions, as seen in the photo on the left, and the next, I may wear my short natural hair as seen in the middle. Some students will look in horror and ask, "What happened to your hair?, in a disturbed tone. In the back of my mind I'm wondering, why does it matter if I changed my hair? This is the way it naturally grows out of my head. I even had a student who reacted negatively to a picture of Angela Davis when I was giving her a research assignment on African American history. In fact, all of the students laughed  vigorously when I showed them a picture of Angela Davis styling her infamous 'Afro'. The girl looked at me solemnly and asked me if she could research another person. This obsession with hair goes beyond the classroom.  People of all hues and genders have treated me differently based on my hairstyle even on a professional level. I could be wearing the same dress and a different hairstyle and men will ignore me or approach me based on my 'two inch' or '14 inch' style. On a global scale, one can see that there is also a desire to fit a certain mold. CNN did a story in Nigeria and it's booming weave industry. A vast majority of women in the country believe that wearing weave or a wig will make them look fabulous. Now I'm not advocating that women should stop wearing weave(as you can see I wear extensions from time to time). However, it becomes a serious issue when women begin to believe that wearing hair that grew out of somebody else's head makes them a better human being. With that being said, the question arises, why are some women of color attempting to achieve an aesthetic  that is not their own when certain cultural aesthetics put into place do not even apply to them? There is some serious revaluation needed in order for the human race to heal from past historical experiences that created stereotypes and negative portrayals of certain ethnic groups. This starts with teaching young children early about acceptance, and fostering cultural understanding. As for me, it seems that I am more marketable with my natural hair than any other style I have worn in the past. Whether it's long, short, or in between, hair should not change your perception of someone. Maybe, just maybe one day society will stop placing me and other women in a box because of my style of locs.

Visual Poetry

Visual Poetry

My very talented father Tunde Afolayan  has an exhibition coming up entitled, Visual Poetry which is inspired by his Nigerian culture. The exhibition will be held at Watersworth Art Gallery in Lagos, Nigeria on the 20th of April. If  you are in  Lagos, you should definitely check it out! To find out more information, about Tunde Afolayan's work go to www.tundevisualart.com
As for  my writing entries, I'll be posting something fresh soon.

A&T Theatre Alumni Creating Their Own Stage

 Thursday November 22, 2012

Many people assume that artists  studying theatre only want to be actors, however, in most instances, that is not the case. It is imperative that theatre artist is well rounded in order to   attian consistent work.   Lelund Durond Thompson   serves as a prime example of how  implementing training from North Carolina A&T made an impact on his professional career. Lelund is a very charming man with a nice smile and a personality that make you feel as if you have known him forever. I was honored to have the opportunity to have a one on one interview with him on Thanksgiving day.  Lelund is the founder and CEO of Yellow Fella Entertainment, a   hub for storytelling. At Yellow Fella Entertainment,  the mission is to tell stories that heal through, writing, music, theatre,  producing, and photography. Lelund is also a successful producer for concerts, plays, and events for up and coming artists. "I believe my purpose on earth is to use my gift to tell stories to change lives."   It is evident that Lelund has discovered his talents by pushing the envelope and exploring other mediums besides acting such as photography, song writing, play writing and producing.  "We were waiting for someone to discover us but I felt like it was my duty to  bring us together and say, let's create something on our own.", said Leland. The courage and ability to  be a leader in New York City may have been inspired by Leland's training at North Carolina A&T where he engaged in many independent projects with his peers.  Leland says that he learned the importance of the business aspect of theatre while being  challenged and nurtured by professor Frankie Day. "There are extraordinary teachers, professors, and mentors, at A&T.",  Lelund stated with honesty.    It just goes to show you that  persistence, creativity, and using  the skills that you acquire  are a great formula for making your dreams become a reality. Plays produced and written by Yellow Fella Entertainment include  "From Chains to Change" (A Black History piece created  after the election of  President Barack Obama) and "A Doll Confessions" which  will be produced in the near future. To learn more about Lelund Durond Thompson and his amazing work, visit: http://yellafellaentertainment.com/

You want to make it in the Big Apple Eh?

Thursday November 22, 2012









"Start  spreading the news, I'm leaving today, I want to be a  part of it , New York, New York!" Aah, the words of every aspiring actor or performer on a mission to 'make it big' in New York City.  At least, that is the societal norm. I caught up with some amazing  North Carolina A&T Theatre Alumni after our victorious day at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. I entered a spacious yet nostalgic apartment in the Bronx filled with vibrant smiles, laughter and lots of turkey. And I'll tell you, there is nothing like sharing a turkey with a room full of artists! Musicians, Actors, and singers were all present   to celebrate the Thanksgiving Holiday and talk about 'good theatre'. Everyone  was aware of what new shows were on Broadway, whose who in the industry, the amazing or not so great vocalists making their debut, and reputations.  Yes, the reputation of an artist has a huge impact on whether they continue to work in New York City. "I have some talented friends in this city and none of them can get a $50 dollar gig because of their attitude."said Darell Hunt, an A&T theatre Alumni now living in New York City.  Hunt is a tall, graceful man with a sense of elegance and wisdom. His posture is impeccable, along with his knowledge of the theatre. "I didn't know that black folks actually studied theatre", said one of the guests in a respectful manner at the Thanksgiving dinner. Hunt replied, "Well, the African Grove Theatre was one of the  first black theaters  started here in New York in 1821, so African American Theatre has been around for centuries." I gleamed with joy as  Darell responded to the curious guest because The African Grove Theater was one of the  first  theaters that we learn about in our African American Drama class at North Carolina A&T. Ding! The light bulb came on in my head, you really do use the  material you learn in school in the real world! When how asked Darell how the department of  theatre at North Carolina A&T  prepare him for a professional career, he said that it helped him to clarify his identity as an African American artist. "The  theatre department gave me a sense of awareness and helped me to prepare for the real world.",  Hunt stated. For Darell,  the  New York hustle is a reality. He works for Broadway.com and  he also is the Host at a restaurant in SOHO. One can tell that his passion and love for the theatre keeps him going everyday.  Born and raised in Greensboro, NC, Hunt took a leap of faith and headed for the big apple  this year. His is deeply rooted, confident, and well prepared to handle  the challenges he faces in NYC. "I love this cold weather, these raggedy trains, I love it all.", said Hunt. On that  Thanksgiving Day,  the commonality of love for the arts brought us together.

A dedicated Artist

 

The Macy's Day Parade was a great success, and it was  even better to interact with people who I personally know in the band. Take for instance, Paul Johnson, a saxophone player and  my former resident.  When I first met Paul,  I could tell that he was a kind, charismatic, and out going individual, yet he had a sense of discipline. I remember there would be times when I wouldn't see Paul for days because he was always in band rehearsal. Despite the long nights in the band room, one can tell that Paul has an immense passion for the band  and all of his hard work paid off.   Paul also balances a heavy academic load  being a sophomore  Journalism and Mass Communications major with a concentration in public relations.   Music isn't just a hobby for Paul or something he tried for three weeks .  Demonstrating consistency is an understatement for Paul as he has been playing the saxophone for 9 years. When I asked Paul what he was thinking during the performance at the Macy's Day Parade, he said, "My first thought was to play.  I said to myself, Paul play, don't smile. Get to your mark, this is not rehearsal." Well, Paul and the rest of the Blue and Gold Marching Machine made their mark at  the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade! Paul's family in Pittsburgh, PA was elated to see the band on television and recorded the performance on television.  "My mother  was really happy, replied Paul with a warm smile.  Paul hopes that the performance opens more doors for the band to perform at other venues.

What we've been waiting for

Thursday November 22, 2012

A few hours after parade rehearsal, the big day arrived for the Blue and Gold Marching Machine to make their way down  the NYC streets for the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.  The  band made their mark by being the first performers   to appear in the parade. They marched down the streets to Stevie Wonder's  sultry song,"All I Do". The crowd cheered and watched with curiosity. I yelled from the sidelines, "Aggie Pride! Woohoo" and  I said, "That's my school!" to every stranger in my vicinity. It was a great moment  for North Carolina A&T State University as our hearts swelled with pride. North Carolina A&T just seems to have the great habit of making history from the Greensboro Four, to the band marching in The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. What an accomplishment!

The Blue and Gold Marching Machine make their way down the streets of NYC.

 

 

 

 

 

Feast your eyes on the Blue and Gold Marching Machine!

 

Golden Delight charms the crowd with their grace at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

 

 

 

 

A Hello Kitty Parade Ballon

 

 

 

 

A Thanksgiving float that suits the mood of the parade.