Allen West Ousted From NAACP Event Over Communist Remark

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WASHINGTON — It turns out calling Democratic lawmakers “Communists” has some consequences.

Rep. Allen West (R-Fla.) was supposed to be the keynote speaker at a fundraiser for his district chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) this past Saturday. But days before the event, the group canceled the gathering and asked West not to come back when they rescheduled. Why?

“There’s a certain statement he made about Communists,” Jerry Gore, president of the Martin County NAACP, told Scripps Treasure Coast Newspapers. “That statement alone … we do not represent that type of atmosphere.”

The NAACP chapter is rescheduling its banquet for Sept. 15, with a new keynote speaker. Gore told Scripps Treasure Coast Newspapers that a spokesman for West said he “understood” why the organization didn’t want West to speak anymore.

West landed in hot water earlier this month after telling constituents at a town hall meeting that some 80 House Democrats “are members of the Communist Party. It’s called the Congressional Progressive Caucus.” His remarks sparked outrage among Democrats — Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.) said “not even Joe McCarthy would have said anything so stupid” — but West later said he had no regrets about the ordeal.

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Tenn. Court Decision May Finally End Fisk Art Case

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Date: Tuesday, April 24, 2012, 4:59 am
By: Sheila Burke, The Associated Press

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Fisk University may soon be able to generate cash from its 101-piece art collection donated by the late painter Georgia O’Keeffe.

On Monday, the Tennessee Supreme Court announced that it would let stand a ruling allowing the historically black university to complete a $30 million deal to sell a 50 percent stake in the collection to the Crystal Bridges Museum in Bentonville, Ark.

The decision may mean the legal battle that’s lasted more than a decade is all but over.

Officials at the cash-strapped Nashville school have said Fisk might be forced to close if it didn’t sell the stake in the Stieglitz Collection to the museum built by Wal-Mart heiress Alice Walton.

“We’re feeling pretty happy here,” Fisk President Hazel O’Leary said. “We felt we had the clarity that the law was in our favor.”

She said only a few administrative details need to be worked out before the case is closed.

The state of Tennessee has fought to keep the collection in Nashville. State lawyers argued that allowing the deal would have a chilling effect on future donations here because Fisk is going against the stipulations O’Keeffe made when she donated the collection to the school in 1949.

A spokeswoman for the state attorney’s office said lawyers for the state were disappointed by the decision. It lets stand last year’s Court of Appeals ruling that gave Fisk the green light to go ahead with the deal.

State attorneys had also argued that the art collection is a part of Nashville’s cultural history and it needs to be protected because of the risk that it could be lost to Fisk’s creditors. They said there is a risk that the entire collection could ultimately wind up in the Arkansas museum because of some of the wording in the contract between it and Fisk.

Under the proposed deal, the Arkansas museum would house the art two out of every four years. But the contract says the museum also has the right of first refusal for the remaining 50 percent of the collection.

O’Keeffe donated 97 pieces of art to Fisk from the estate of her late husband, photographer Alfred Stiegltiz. The collection includes works by Picasso, Renoir, Cezanne, Marsden Hartley, and Charles Demuth, among others. O’Keeffe also donated four of her paintings to the school because Fisk educated blacks in the segregated south.

But she stipulated that the collection must never be sold or broken up. Fisk had argued that the $131,000 annual cost to display the art was more than the school could afford.

O’Leary said one of the questions that now must be resolved is whether $1 million that Walton pledged to Fisk is adequate to upgrade the display place.

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Associated Press writer Joe Edwards contributed to this story.

ECBACC 2012

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FAQ

When is the event?

The opening reception and kick-off will be held on Friday, May 18, 2012, from 6:30 p.m. until 9 p.m. The full convention will be held on Saturday, May 19, 2012, from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m.

Where is the event?

The reception will be held at the African American Museum in Philadelphia, 701 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106.  The convention will be held at The Enterprise Center, 4548 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19139.

Where can I find up-to-date information on the event?

For the latest information, you can join our general mailing list by using the subscribe form on our home page. You can also go to:

www.ecbacc.com, www.facebook.com/ecbacc.page, www.myspace.com/ecbacc, orwww.facebook.com/ecbacc.

How do I buy a ticket to the Friday reception?

Admission to the reception is free and open to the public.

How do I buy a ticket to the Saturday convention?

Admission to the convention is $10 for teens and adults.  Wristbands can be purchased at the door, only.

How do I register for a workshop?

There is no registration for the workshops. It is on a first come, first served basis. The workshops are included with convention admission.

Is space limited?

As long as there is an available seat, all are welcome.

How do I get around Philadelphia without a car?

Transit: www.septa.org
Taxi: Liberty Cab Co. 215-389-8000

The Enterprise Center is walking distance from the Market-Frankford Line, 46th Street Station.

Where can I make hotel reservations?

The Holiday Inn Philadelphia – Historic District is the official hotel for the convention.

The Holiday Inn Philadelphia – Historic District
400 Arch Street
Philadelphia, PA 19106
(800) 465-4329
http://www.holidayinn.com/phlhistoric

Group Code: ECA
Group Rate: $159/night + tax for 1 King bed or 2 Double beds
This rate is assigned to Friday, May 18, 2012, and Saturday, May 19, 2012. Availability is limited.

Do you have information on vendor tables?

If you are interested in vending at our convention, vending applications are available on the Registration Forms page of the website under ECBACC 2012.

Will I be able to buy comic books?

Yes, there will be a marketplace exhibiting some of the best and rare comics you can find.

Can I advertise to convention attendees?

If you are interested in advertising in our program guide, applications are available on the Registration Forms page of the website under ECBACC 2012.

I have questions that are not answered in the FAQ, what do I do?

If you have a question that has not been answered, feel free to email us at BlackAgeofComics@ecbacc.com or through the Contact Us page under About ECBACC, Inc.

Endangered Species by Synthia Saint James

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Giclee on Canvas
Image size= 24″h x 32″w


Synthia Saint James a self-taught artist and author was born in 1949 in Los Angeles. Saint James is an internationally recognized fine artist. You’ll find her work on over 50 books covers (which includes books by Alice Walker, Terry McMillan, Iyanla Vanzant and Julia Boyd), and on many licensed products.

She has 7 children’s picture books currently on the market, two of which she wrote, “The Gift’s of Kwanzaa” and “Sunday.” She also has 2 books of poetry and prose, “Girlfriends”. and “Can I Touch You, Love Poems and Affirmations”, an audio book.

Get the Look: Kim Kardashian’s Kanye West Ice Cream Date Look

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by Claire

Angie writes, “Can you give me details of her outfit?”

KK was seen out eating ice cream with Kanye West in a gray sweatshirt and leather pants, accessorized by Christian Louboutin Unbout Illusion Pumps in black and a Céline luggage tote in light brown.

How to Break Into Fashion: Celebrity Stylist Becca Alexis

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by Claire

We’re almost 5 months into 2012, and we’ve yet to have a Breaking into Fashion interview!
Well, I decided to end the drought by profiling celebrity stylist Becca Alexis:

The University of Florida and Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising graduate has worked with everyone from Trey Songz, Mary J. Blige, and Ne-Yo to Janet Jackson, Marlon Wayans, and Jamie Foxx, styling music videos, commercials, editorials, and print advertisements. She was nice enough to take a few moments to tell you aspiring wardrobe maestros a bit about her story, and offer advice on how you can follow a similar path into the bright lights and action of celebrity styling.

She says, “My primary experiences in fashion were as an illustrator and designer. I made clothes for the various performance organizations at my college. After graduation, I decided it was time to develop those talents into an occupation, [so] I enrolled at FIDM and began working with the costumers for various TV and film productions. I knew this was something I wanted to do 3 years later while working at a costume shop where several stylists came and had costumed pieces made. I realized I wanted to combine both worlds and turn it into my brand.”

“The celebrity aspect happened by chance. My first celebrity client was Nelly. [I styled] a commercial promoting his album. I had worked with the commercial’s producer on a local LA fashion shoot and she asked me if I would come in as a stylist.”

Now, you’ll find her running to and fro, pulling items from showrooms, attending fittings, sifting through e-mails, and attending to her long roster of clients.

If you want to follow a similar path, she advises hopefuls to start small. She says, “Intern. I recommend interning for one person for at least a year to build a good foundation. The key to a successful styling career is a combination of talent, commitment, and reliability.”

“[Don’t attempt ] to microwave the path to success. Experience is not something you can hustle. Allow yourself to develop and build a foundation. Work at a magazine or a retail shop. Learn the business well and how to brand celebrities with the right looks. “

If you specifically want to work with celebrities, she says, “Be super super confident about your work. Know your fashion and develop relationships where you can call a major fashion house and get the hottest runway looks. Every vision should integrate the client’s likes and dislikes, what fits and what’s pertinent to the brand being projected. It’s a synergy of both. Perfecting it requires listening attentively and staying a step above the trends. Celebrities dictate many trends and you want your clients to convey that. ”

Speaking of trends and fashion, we had to ask Becca about her ten wardrobe must haves! She divulged, “An amazing black blazer. I have 3: Dolce & Gabbana, Zara, and DKNY. A classic black dress and a classic white dress. DVF wrap dresses have been ‘in’ for decades. They’re totally worth the investment. A statement necklace. Toss it with jeans and a tank top for automatic chic! Wear it with a basic dress to be noticed!”

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Organization of Black Designers (OBD)

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The Organization of Black Designers (OBD) is pleased to announce DesigNation8: DesignPower! which will be held in Cincinnati, Ohio October 25-28, 2012.

DesigNation8: DesignPower! will bring together some of the world’s top designers to explore how the power of design impacts and influences the local, national and global economies. And to showcase their work.

OBD is a multidisciplinary, multicultural professional organization and the proud producer of the most diverse design conference in America. Our membership represents those who engage in industrial, product, architectural, interior, graphic, multimedia, visual merchandising, fashion and exhibit design. Our conference attracts established and emerging designers, educators and students. It is also an unparalled opportunity for marketers and new product launches to reach early adopters and a highly viral audience. With members and affiliates nationally and internationally, DesigNation8: DesignPower! reflects the mission of OBD for inclusion and diversity.

  • FASHION
  • GRAPHIC
  • INTERIOR
  • ADVERTISING
  • ANIMATION
  • ARCHITECTURE
  • INDUSTRIAL/PRODUCT

CONFERENCE GOALS To help you create your design career future by:

• exposure to innovative ideas, methods, products and approaches
• investigating new methodologies, technologies and materials
• making connections with like-minded people
• gaining insights into design trends and market changes
• collaborating in new partnerships and teams
• setting new goals and finding new opportunities

WHO SHOULD ATTEND

• Design firms
• Corporate design departments
• Graphic designers
• Design/Lifestyle magazine publishers
• Interior designers
• Fashion designers
• Architectural designers
• Industrial/Product designers
• NewMedia/MultiMedia designers
• Design educators
• Design students
• Internet/online companies
• Advertising agencies
• Public relations firms
• New design technologies
• Hardware/Software companies

MEET The design leaders and decision makers from all segments of the global design industry marketing, and promotion in one place at one time.

DEVELOP New relationships and reinforce existing partnerships.

SEE Hands-on demonstrations of new technologies, products and services that define today’s competitive marketplace.

EXPLORE New technology, ideas, information and creative resources for a more profitable year ahead. DesigNation® offers great value in exhibition space, equipment and additional services.

DesigNation is the first one of a kind multicultural, multidiscipline design conference in the world. Produced by the Organization of Black Designers, DesigNation has become the United Nations (UN) of design conferences bringing together graphic, industrial, fashion, interior, architectural, product, advertising, broadcast and multi-media designers from all over the globe.

Started in October 1994, the first conference entitled Dogon to Digital revolutionized the design industries by recognizing the emergence and cross-pollination of disparate design disciplines. Designers of color gathered in Chicago to discuss future trends, the African American design aesthetic, issues of visibility and invisibility, as well as provided a platform to showcase designers work, to acknowledge historical accomplishments of pioneering designers of color and to ultimately engage the entire design community to explore more diversity in practice, scholarly pursuits and recognition.

Corporate sponsors, allied industry partners, educational institutions and others seeking to connect with high caliber design professionals recognize DesigNation as the only design conference to sponsor and attend. Major Fortune 500 companies including but not limited to Proctor & Gamble, Ford Motor Company, Steelcase, General Motors, Nike, Hallmark Cards, and Disney have exhibited and/or sponsored employees, human resource professionals and key executive staff to hire, partner and/or solicit new business from conference attendees. One of the most successful features of the DN conference series is the Portfolio Review open to professionals and students alike. This celebrated event brings together attendees of immeasurable talent and companies looking to hire top creative individuals

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Oni Lasana Productions

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Oni Lasana


“Putting ARTS in Hearts!” from…Philadelphia 2 Virginia…Mississippi Delta 2 Germany…Rhode Island 2 Maryland…North Carolina 2 Delaware…Los Angeles 2 Ohio…New Jersey 2 Louisiana…New York 2 Trinidad & Tobago!

Oni Lasana means “Desired Poet of the People”. She is a cultural chameleon and a creative muse to many. Ms. Lasana shares her gifts as a dynamic, vivacious, spirit driven Performing ARTress, Performance poet, Creative Theatre Director, Storyteller, Musician, Vocalist, Mentor, Jewelry Maker and an enthusiastic advocate of Arts-in-Education. Her life journey is in offering positive cultural awareness programs on African, American and Caribbean cultures, to communities worldwide.

Lasana’s unique performances & workshops lift the spirits of young and old. Featuring American History, Literature, Theatre & Music fused with a flair for poetic storytelling. Her dramatic and humorous, one woman productions and interpretations shines off the page, and onto the stage in interactive, educational entertainment performances, school assemblies, theater productions, festivals, corporate, social gatherings & community events.

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