2011 Rite of Sankofa Speech

Every year The African American Cultural Center hosts Rite of Sankofa, a ceremony in which African-American students are celebrated for their achievements in their organizations within Intercultural Affairs and the university. This ceremony is also special because it allows family to participate in the ceremony. This year I was chosen to do the student remarks. I wanted to share this with you all. 
Congrats to the UGA Class of 2011!!

I have been to a couple of Rite of Sankofa celebrations. I have always wanted to participate in it.And here it was, finally Renaldo gave me the opportunity to do this speech…but what do I say? I didn’t want to give generic lessons on life or general memories.I wanted this to be something we all could relate to. And what better connects us than music, more specifically a music playlist. You see, a music playlist is essential to every college student. It gets you through those days when you need a little pick me up. It fuels you even more on those days when you are feeling good.

You have to make a playlist for house parties

You have the study session playlists

You have road trip playlists

The before you go out playlist

The morning before test playlist

In all my memories music has been just as important as the memories

With a little inspiration from the Sigmas and their Sigma Week Mixtape and the Omegas for their Mixtape, I decided to create a Fall 2011 playlist/mixtape.

Fall 2007 is where our class playlist begins

Track 1: Kanye and TPain- The Good Life

As freshman we lived the good life

That year 18,000 applied to UGA, 4,000 were accepted and we were among those elite living in Brumby, Russell, Creswell (or Payne/Morris)

We had it good…snellebrations, bet

Escort Van adventures and parties at the Ritz or Tasty World jamming to Shawty is a Ten by the Dream or Buy You a Drank by TPain

Teaching our roommates or peers the Soulja Boy's Superman

Our first football season...the good life

We went to our first and maybe even our last BEST meeting

Grand Hall was in the old Tate where BEST’s Rep Your High School was...and yes there used to be parties in Memorial Hall Ballroom...the good life

We attended programs hosted by FAB like Are You Smarter Than a Freshman?

Attending our first Café Soul and making connections with one another and upperclassmen

Hanging out in the 4^th floor in the AACC  in the café

Hanging out in the MSP lounge

The good life

Lesson from freshman year: Each new experience is the good life…embrace it

Fall 2008 Track 2: A Milli- Lil Wayne

Probably my best year here at UGA was my sophomore year

Sophomore year we just had a good time, new friends, maintaining friendships, and of course election time. We established ourselves in organizations. We were glad that we made it past freshman year and there were some who didn’t

But also in sophomore year there was a lot of change…the Greek Life office moved from memorial hall to Tate, Tate 2 opens, The Ritz closes (a moment of silence) but in all those changes we just had a good time

It was during this time I truly experience the greatness of BUGA (or Black UGA) more than just a title, it was a community of support. It was here I was the reigning Miss Black UGA and I walked around doing a documentary and here was my peers supporting me and giving their opinion and working towards a community.Twitter really came on the scene, a new innovation that we took over who would have thought we would change from Facebook

Track 3: My President is Black

The day after President Obama was elected, Tate Time was live and blasted through the center My President is Black, my lambo’s blue

Yes change was all around us but we still had a good time

Lesson from sophomore year: Change will always be there but its how you adapt to it that matters

Fall 2009 Track 4: Never Would Have Made it- Marvin Sap 

The end of sophomore year and the beginning of junior year that song was my theme song.. a Marvin Sap Pandora station was added. I don’t know what it was but junior year was that struggle. We were in our major classes and partying slowed down … just a little

We dropped some of those organizations we were so involved in, people moved off campus

People were turning 21

Tests were hard, life was crazy but we never would have made it without God… let the church say… AMEN

Track 5: Change gon come- Sam Cooke

To see some of us finally become greek was a long time coming but it was a good feeling…from watching the probates as freshman and to actually participate in them and to come up to one another and say “It’s been a long time coming” and we all knew what it meant

Lesson from junior year: In the midst of trials and tribulations, the ones who are truly there for you will stand by your side

Fall 2010 Track 6: Moment for Life- Nicki Minaj

Senior year...we did all the things we never thought we would do

Georgia/Florida game, new jobs

Internships, study abroad

It was also during senior year we celebrated the 50^th anniversary of desegregation here at the university

A moment for life I will never forget was the chance to meet Charlayne Hunter-Gault, the first African-American woman to attend the University of Georgia and my soror

Planning and promoting asold out BOB concert

Some of us found out we were not graduating in May but celebrated with the May grads like we were

Lesson from senior year: There are moments in life you must always hold dear to your heart

Fall 2011 Track 7: Rolling in the Deep- Adele

Going into the last semester

Everyone was on the grind. Going on interviews, applying for fellowships or grad schools. Leading organizations. Trying to teach the underclassmen

No time for nonsense. Everyone is more blunt. Coming on campus is for business not leisure. Tate Time...non existent

Lesson from this semester: Personal growth is important.  Love is not always what you expect it to be...but when your heart is pure it will work out.

Tomorrow we will become alumni … and as I reflect on this playlist I am glad it has gotten me through this experience. But now is the time to retire it for a while and begin a new one

2011 and beyond

Track 1: Ambition –Wale

"Ambition is priceless/It’s something that’s in your veins/And I put that on my name"

We all have ambition in our hearts that have gotten us to this point.

If I would leave a final lesson to this class is that we should let the ambition in our hearts not just be an individual ambition but a collective one.

Look to your left and your right I hope that this is not the last time we try and see one another

I hope this is not the last time we are in a room celebrating our achievements

Let’s strive to make my or your Ambition our ambition

The ambition that comes together for homecoming tailgates

That keeps in touch with one another

That reaches back to those graduating behind us

That ambition that is the foundation for the success that is sure to come after tomorrow

Much love

Thoughts of Opening Night...Morning of

The time is now 5:50 a.m.
I have a quick paper to do...buuuuut I had to write this instead.
So my original plan was to write a blog post everyday this week leading up to opening night. I had this grand  plan of pointing out different lessons I had learned throughout the week and relate them all to a big theme...and as you can see...no posts


So here I am ... morning of opening night


What do directors think of opening night?


Are they nervous? Is it just another day? Are they pissed? Did they get any sleep the night before? Do they try and think of last minute things to add?


After rehearsal last night, I had all intentions of hanging out with my sorority sisters and friends and just taking a moment to relax, but after picking up a friend for game night at my house, I collapsed on my bed as the laughter of my friends continued as background music for my sleep. 


So here I am... morning of opening night


What do actors think of opening night?


Are they going over lines? Are they just relieved that the night is here and soon to be over?


Thinking about all the shows I have done. I was usually nervous but excited. I do get a little sad because once he show run is over, that's it...the ensemble never comes back to rehearsal. The set is broken down. The costumes are returned to the closet. The props are put on the shelf. 


So here I am...morning of opening night


I am calm
I am grateful
I am excited


I am amazed at the spirit of peace that has come over my body this week. I am grateful to God for providing that peace. Things have NOT gone the way I planned and yet I smile. People have said some crazy things to me and trust I usually snap. (Yes I got a little snappy side) But I am content.


I am very thankful to the people who have been in my corner throughout this entire process, sending text messages (Casey), calling to see if I needed anything (Morgann, Tanya, Serena, Jeffrey), stepping into my cast and doing it big (Jeffrey), giving me rides home (my cast and classmates)....


It has been those things and more that I have been reflecting on.


I am in a career and life planning class and sometimes during class we have interview questions that we answer at the end of class. This week one of the questions asked was, " Who is more important, the leader or followers?" I remember a classmate mentioning how neither is more important but rather the collective resources of leaders and followers make a team most effective.


I agree wholeheartedly. At the beginning of this rehearsal process, I told the cast how I wanted us to create this story. Yes I had ideas but some things in my head are not the best when seen in real life. There had to be a balance. We as an ensemble had to create something amazing. It could not just be me and after rehearsal last night, I think our task is complete. 


So here I am... morning of opening night


Relaxed, a little sleepy but feeling great. If I could blog about the big lesson of this moment, I would say it would be.....


Recognize and embrace the support system.


I have been able to be calm because of the people around me who have been dedicated and determined to make this show a success. 
So here I am...morning of opening night
As I director, what do I do??


Say thanks 


Much love

My Personal Manifesto

So thanks to those who read my blog these past two days, I appreciate your support. I'm not doing a whole lot with this thing but if a few words make your day a little better than I feel as though I can keep posting things.
Ok so last semester I had to take a Senior Seminar Class and an assignment was given to us to create a personal manifesto. Basically what it is a a summary of what you want out of life, your goals, how do you want to accomplish it overarching goal. In general it is really a vision of your life.

I really liked the assignment and I have kept this notebook sheet around me and I wanted to share it. These past few blogs I have really been evaluating the next phase I am going in life and along this journey I wanted to reflect on why I am here and the vision I am headed towards..enjoy!

LeaderShape Vision: Have a theatre in every county in the nation


"I am a bundle of paradoxes. I believe and I doubt. I hope and get discouraged, I love and I hate, I feel bad about feeling good. I feel guilty about not feeling guilty. I am trusting and suspicious. I am honest and I still play games." -The Ragamuffin Gospel


"My deepest awareness of myself is that I am deeply loved by Jesus Christ and I have done nothing to earn it or deserve it." -The Ragamuffin Gospel


I want to be...in, around, under, over, peeking through a window, squished between, voluntarily committed to the stage in every capacity that I can, and I never want to put my passions on the back burner.


I can't sit in an office. i can;t get up before 9 am (actually 10 a.m. is the better option) I need good food, good laughs, cool friends that I can have movie nights with, cocktail hours with, frequent resort trips with with us living out our dreams.


I want to mend relationships, forgive those who have done me wrong, lose this weight...grr, live near a city, make money that helps me live comfortable (well at least comfortable enough to see a play at least twice a month), and oh yes shock the hell out of those who say, "Oh so you are a theatre major...what do you want to do with that?" 

Reflections: The People I need in my life

Sooo yeah I feel like every time I post to the blog, I am apologizing for not posting in a while. Well this time is no different but I think what I can promise is that I will keep posting when I have an epiphany moment. Which is why I am writing ...yay!

I will be posting this blog and one more within the next two days so for those who do read and missed reading my posts, you will get a double dose for fun.

Ok so lately I have been watching a lot of youtube videos. More specifically I have become a big fanatic of Phill Wade, Issa Rae (Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl Series), and Fly Guys.

These videos are a mixture of good music, good laughs, and good talent. (Thank you guys for making my days a little happier with your talents)

But most importantly the thing that stood out to me was what all of these individuals had in common:
Some good people in their life

Take for example Phill Wade, he has a good videographer/photographer/designer Mr. SpB2, legit people  who produce his music and perform with him i.e. TyReal  and Deric Anderson

Issa Rae has developed a phenomenal portfolio of film credits with the help of her friends and peers.

And as I began to think harder I started to notice other successful people, music or art projects that I love,  have all included a group of friends and peers passionate about their crafts and are now doing it big and have had an impact on my experience at UGA.
Shout out to
Jaspects
Lyric Jones
Nikkiyo Films
(Just to name a few)

As a lover of the arts, I often get frustrated at the lack of these type of roles, the lack of those type of films, the desire to do and be me in this industry and it was in the last few days that I realized sometimes I just have to make it happen. I need to get those people in my life and start making moves. Because I can't complain about the things I want to see if I do not create them. And I feel as though the people I have mentioned above have done just that.

So I have resolved to make a list of the people I need in my life. These people have been those who have  some great talents, who are determined,  and who can get things done. These are people who have been called to a great purpose to make a difference and hey I need to be around you.
To all those who read this I suggest you try this activity, get your list together. In whatever career path you decide to have, you need those who have a similar drive and mentality and want to create new paths instead of just following the footprints in the old ones.

The following is my list of people who I need in my life, (this is just off the top of my head) and if I forget some people no worries, if I need you I will call you. But these are people who I have encountered in my life in some form or fashion and are legit and in general we can help one another do better and bigger things.

-Kelundra Smith
- Elea Soler
-Elliott Dixon
-Josh Delaney
- Tayler Stanley
- Nathan Spring
-Chloe Zeitounian
- Mario Haynes
-Carol Kaboya
-Rebecca Marken
- Casey Bruce
- Al Heartley
-Harry Valentine
-Laura West
-Rasaan Wyzard
- Janelle Clinton
- Alfred Richardson
- Jenna Causey
- Tiffany Hobbs
-Cody Sanders
-Anthony Agbaere
-Milton Lewis
- Gregory Locke
-Jeffrey McNair
- Markel Davis
- Jake Young
-Paige Pulaski
-Adetinpo Thomas
-Adedolapo Adekunle
- Jordan Lewis
-Denver Blackwell

There are more but here this is a start....
Get your list together people and make some moves.

If you wake up in the morning and all you can think about is writing.....

Yes it has been a while since this has been updated... moving on.
So I really like the movie Sister Act 2 and every once in a while I think about different quotes from it.
So today what popped in my head was the scene where Whoopi Goldberg is talking to Lauryn Hill and trying to persuade her character to think more about singing and joining the choir. Here is the quote...well actually here is the scene:


Whoopi: I know you want to sing. See. I love to sing. Nothing makes me happier.I either wanted to be a singer or the head of the Ice Capades. Hey. Do you know who the Ice Capades are? Don't roll your eyes. They were very cool. I went to my mother who gave me this book...called Letters To A Young Poet. Rainer Maria Rilke.He's a fabulous writer. A fellow used to write to him and say: "I want to be a writer. Please read my stuff." And Rilke says to this guy: "Don't ask me about being a writer. lf when you wake up in the morning you can think of nothing but writing...then you're a writer."I'm gonna saythe same thing to you. If you wake up in the mornin' and you can't think of anything but singin' first...then you're supposed to be a singer. 


Girl: What's the point of your story. Sister? What's the point?

Whoopi: Read the book.


END SCENE


Ok so I am in the process of editing a play that I wrote almost two years ago. Why two years? Well ...yeah kinda complicated (I really just had to take a break from it and partly just did not have the energy to edit)
BUT ....I have decided that this will be a summer of writing and this is the first project.


So how does this relate to the quote?


Well in order for this to be a summer of writing, I guess I am reflecting on myself as a writer of plays. So for those who read my blogs, those who write plays, those who read plays...what suggestions do you have for upcoming playwrights in general? How do you get through dry spells? What inspires you to write? Where do you get your ideas from?


Yeah this is a summer of writing, reflection...and more. I am waking up in the morning trying to be.. a playwright?

Stay tuned. 

AMC got money from me in 2010

Yes this is the second post I have done today but I had a great idea for a post and I wanted to go ahead and write it before I forget about it and well, just not do it.


I looooove watching movies. It started when I was young and my mother would buy any movie my sister and I wanted. Present day, things are pretty much the same and it is so bad that my mom and I will memorize the dates when movies are going to be released and she or I will be two copies of the movie to add to our collections. 


So thanks to a great movie buddy (shoutout to Kelundra) I saw some pretty good movies this year and I am excited for the ones to come in the new year. So what I have is my top movies for 2010, my wish list (those I wanted to see but just didn't) and those I am looking forward to seeing in 2011. If there are any movies you guys think I should add to my wish list, please comment and I will Netflix or buy it.


I must say that animated movies dominated the 2010 year for me so this list will be comprised mostly of some great animated films. So now lets get to it.


My Top 2010 Movies (in no particular order)
Toy Story 3- great finale to the series, I cried (like the sap I am) and it just felt good to watch it

Megamind- hilarious and not your average hero movie, loved it

Tangled- creative, funny, pretty in 3D

Karate Kid- - the scene with Jackie Chan and Jayden with the car lights and shadows, brilliant filmography

How to Train Your Dragon- did not expect for this to be so funny, glad I saw it

Book of Eli- refreshing, had a great message and just great (except for the annoying co-star..she bothered me slightly)

Despicable Me- OMG hilarious to the point where my boyfriend and I have inside jokes about it

Hot Tub Time Machine- I thought this was going to be soooo corny, but it was a great laugh!

Date Night- Tina Fey never lets me down and I have been bringing this movie with me to others houses

Just Wright-  one word: Common, and I will say, no write it again COMMON plus the thick girl wins!! (ha ha skinny hoes..lol j/k)

2010 Wish List

Eat. Pray.Love

Love and Other Drugs

Burlesque

Letters to God

Black Swan

2011 Excitement

Frankie and Alice

Rio

Cars 2

The Dilemma

Kung Fu Panda 2

Sherlock Holmes 2

Just Go With It

War Horse

On an ending note, I really want to see more black performers in film in 2011. (other than Tyler Perry) Not knocking everything he does ( I appreciate ya bra) but I want to see a variety of black films, black directors, black screenwriters doing it big in 2011. So please help a sistah out! 

Alright I think this will be my last post for 2010. Thank you all for following the blog and giving your feedback. I will do a better job of posting things in 2011. 

What if???

So I was riding in the car the other day and I started reflecting on society and how nowadays a lot of people want success and they want it quickly. I scan through Facebook and see a lot of my friends who are self-proclaimed models. (which is rather annoying because one photoshoot of yourself half-dressed with your cousin's  new camera from Christmas, hardly qualifies you to be a model..but I digress) I look at tv and you have people like Sheree from The Real Housewives of Atlanta who just decides one day to become and actress and all of a sudden getting headshots and performing on stage.

So as I was riding I began to panic a little, what if in a few years the degree I worked hard these past four years for doesn't mean anything?? What if getting a degree and having a degree in the arts becomes ancient and people laugh at it? What if all over it matters more about the money you have and how much money you can raise than true talent? What if places like Julliard and NYU become museums of how the performing arts used to be?

It is sad that people think that nurturing a craft such as dance, music, drama etc is something that can be launched in one day and that is it. I think this is one reason why there are folks who truly dislike the work that Tyler Perry does. You know it is one thing to begin as an amateur and create  decent work but then it is another to continue to parade around, disrespect the craft, and not receive training in the art that you create and expect to receive nods from everybody.

I am not saying that raw talent is a bad thing. There are probably plenty of stars out there who did not receive formal training and are doing well and are learning from those who have receive training.

The point I am trying to emphasize is that nurturing your craft should be the most important thing.

Your intentions for wanting to be on the screen, stage, etc should not be because "Well since I have this amount, I should be on tv" or "Since I know these people, I think I should be an actor/actress" or "Hey I am skinny and tall maybe I should be a model" or "I'm not really feeling this job maybe if I get an agent and become an actor in Hollywood I can get more money".

We are coming into a new year and I want to see talent from genuine and creative people. Those who truly want to share their gifts with others to entertain, to inspire, to uplift and then of course get a little money too. (Hey I have to be a little realistic)

I never want the what if's I mentioned earlier to become a reality.