Strong Black Women at the BAM 50th Annivesary Celebration, Laney College, Feb 7, 2015, a marvin x production

photos lamrichiego Gosha 

  elaine brown, mx, halifu osumare

portia anderson

kujichagulia

 Judy Juanita, novelist, poet, BAM artistic freedom fighter

below: Elaine Brown, singer, Chair of the Black Panther Party

Open Letter from the Black Arts Movement to the Citizens of Oakland CA

14 February 2015

 On behalf of the Black Arts Movement 50th Anniversary Celebration participants, and all BAM artistic freedom fighters throughout America, we sincerely thank our wonderful fellow citizens of Oakland who made possible the event at Laney College on February 7, 2015. Firstly, we thank the President of Laney College, Dr. Elnora T. Webb, for being brave enough and wise enough to invite the BAM artistic freedom fighters to her campus. We especially want to thank the Laney College faculty and staff who made the BAM celebration a success, in particular the facilities staff, technicians, security persons, culinary school, business office, art department and curator Dr. Leslee Stradford; and the President's staff: Maisha, Randolph and Brandi. We thank the Laney students and the community who took time from their schedules to learn something about the Black Arts Movement. We understand it was truly an educational experience for many. 

We truly appreciate the support of Mayor Libby Schaaf and President of the City Council, Lynette McElhaney. We look forward to their declaration of the Black Arts Movement District along 14th Street. We think the BAM District will serve as a model for other cities in America who wish to acknowledge the artistic, cultural and economic contributions of North American Africans to this society. We think BAM has and will continue to contribute to the cultural consciousness so urgently needed in this time of broken systems/broken minds. 

We pray that President of Laney College, the Mayor and City Council persons will spread the good word about BAM to other cities as we continue our journey to the 27 cities with significant populations of North American Africans, as suggested by ancestor Amiri Baraka. We suggest the City of Oakland establish a sisterly relationship with the City of Newark, New Jersey, especially since Amiri Baraka's son is the Mayor. As a BAM/Black Power Baby, Mayor Ras Baraka is in the tradition and this Oakland/Newark relationship can contribute new energy and inspiration so needed by both Oakland and Newark, NJ. 

We thank all the participants who gave freely of their time and energy, including the San Quentin Prison artists whose work will be exhibited throughout Black History Month in the Laney Art Gallery. Thanks to the William James Prison Art Project for making the exhibit happen on short notice. Thanks to Paul Cobb and the Post News Group for getting the word out along with LaNiece Jones Associates, KBLX, KPFA and KPOO. Conway Jones, Jr., we appreciate your advice, encouragement and words of inspiration. You said this BAM celebration is the most important event to happen in Oakland in the last 50 years. Thank you Alameda County Supervisor Keith Carson and US Congresswoman Barbara Lee for your commendations.

Sincerely,

Marvin X,

BAM artistic freedom fighter

Sista Akua didn't get enough of the wild crazy ride called the Marvin X Experience: Part Two, Next Sunday, same time, same station: 8:30pm CT

Marvin X interviewed by Zin on Houston's Pacifica Radio Station www.kpft.org. 
On Sunday, February 15, 8:30pm CT, he will be interviewed by Sister Akua Holt on her Pan African Journal show

Aries Jordan on BAM at Laney College: the wild crazy ride called the Marvin X Experience

 Left to Right: Paul Cobb, Dr. Leslee Stradford, Conway Jones, Jr., Marvin X, Mayor Libby Schaaf, holding Naima Joy, Marvin's granddaughter; his grandson Jah Amiel, Laney College President Elnora T. Webb, Dr. Nathan Hare, Lynette McElhaney, President of Oakland City Council
photo South Park Ken Johnson

Marvin X, thank you for stopping me that day at the jazz festival and taking me on the wild crazy ride called the marvin x experience!--Aries Jordan

Aries Jordan (upper right corner) is a member of the BAM Poet's Choir and Arkestra. This performance was last year at the Malcolm X Jazz/Art Festival in Oakland. Under Marvin X's mentorship, she has published two collections of poetry.
photo collage by Adam Turner

On February 7th I had the pleasure and honor to be apart of “The 50th anniversary of the Black Arts Movement: Passing the Baton” hosted by Laney College. In the tradition of the Black arts movement the day was filled with movement, visual arts, intellectual debates and performances. The Day began with the wellness boot camp facilitated by Micheal Bennet's wellness team from YMCA HP/ Bayview, that got the participants blood flowing and into our bodies.

The wellness boot camp was followed with a peer group on “How to Recover from White Supremacy facilitated by Dr. Nathan Hare and MSW Suzzette Celeste. The facilitators opened up with a definition of White Supremacy from Marvin X’s book “How to Recover from White Supremacy” and asked participants for their thoughts.

The conversation among the peer group took an intellectual flow and facilitators challenged the group to move beyond intellectual conversations to one more grounded in our everyday experience. It took a while for people to drop into their hearts and remove the mask of intellect. However, the Peer group ended with folks desiring to have more sacred spaces for Blacks to Recover from White Supremacy.
The afternoon included an author’s talk and open mic with some of the Bays gifted authors and performers which included James Gayle, Judy Juanita, Menhuam Ayele and myself.
 
 Elaine Brown, Halifu Osumare, Judy Juanita, Marvin X, Portia Anderson, Phavia Kujichagulia, Aries Jordan
photo South Park Ken Johnson

The highlight of my day was the panel discussions. I had the honor of joining Elaine Brown, Phavia Kujichagulia and Judith Juanita on the women writers panel. As the youngest panelist I had a moment of self doubt as to whether I was even qualified to be sitting at the table with women of this caliber, after all I was probably not even a born during the Black arts Movement. I quickly shook it off and discussed how the Black Arts movement has inspired my writing and challenged me to move beyond my New York hustle to create works of art that challenges the status quo, heals and inspires. My fellow panelist covered a range of topics from spirituality to Black love. I was awed and inspired by the women on the panel. The “Women Writers” panel was followed by the “Black Power Babies” panel
The" Black Power Babies" panel brought together the elders of the Black Arts movement and their offsprings. The conversation was moderated by Davey D who eloquently guided the discussion and asked powerful questions of panelist. Panelist discussed their role in Black Arts Movement and how they attempted to instill the values of the movement in their children. As their children spoke I saw their parents light up as they shared how they have advanced the BAM movement in their own way. The panel got even more interesting as the topic of passing the baton to the next generation came up. The panelist discussed the challenges for elders in passing the baton and the lack of rite of passages for elders. In a society that wants to be forever young our elders struggle to find their place; causing them to hold on to the few opportunities they have to share their wisdom. The panel also discussed elders intently grooming the younger generation to take their place.
The evening continued with a reception for exhibit of visual arts by SanQuentin Prison art and Bay area visual artist. The new Mayor of Oakland Libby Schaaf, Publisher Paul Cobb of Post News Group and Laney President Elñora Tena Webb presented Marvin X, Black Arts West freedom fighter with a Proclamation. The proclamation acknowledged the Black Arts Movement impact on the United Sates and the world and declared Feb 5th Black Arts movement day. The Mayor also endorsed the Black Arts Movement proposal for a Black Arts District in downtown Oakland. The full day came to a close with a dramatic performance of Marvin X’s play “Flowers for the Trashman” by the Lower Bottom Players. The Poets choir ended the night with electrifying poems that got the crowd going.
The 50th anniversary of the Black arts movement was a success and brought together people from all over the Bay area and some as far as San Diego. The celebration was holistic; feeding mind, body and soul. I was deeply moved by the entire day and left with a sense of responsibility and dedication to continue the tradition of the Black Arts movement. The celebration was inspirational and renewed my commitment to writing. As artist we have the sacred task of using colors, words, sound and movement for spiritual transformation and Black liberation. The Black Arts movement did not do art for the sake of art or applause but as a weapon to reshape the narrative, evolve language and remind us of who really are. Special thanks to organizer Marvin X and all the artist old and young that answered the call!

Rev. Blandon Reems, Aries Jordan, Toya Williams, Marvin X on visit to Juvenile Hall

BAM 27 City Tour Update: San Francisco and Sacramento, Get ready for the BAM Thang!

We are happy to announce that Marvin X will be meeting with members of the BAM San Francisco planning comitttee to plan the San Francisco BAM tour of Hunters Point/Bayview, Fillmore, Tenderloin and Lakeview, areas with significant populations of North American Africans. BAM is considering a possible partnership with the San Francisco Juneteenth Committee. The planners (Geoffery Grier, Michael Bennett and Marvin X) will meet with their mentor Rev. Cecil Williams of Glide Church at the earliest, along with his wife Janic
e Mirikitani, a poet who once said, "Through the poetry of Marvin X, I became conscious of my own ethnicity."

Congresswoman to Marvin X and The Black Arts Movement 50th Anniversary Celebration

FYI, Marvin X received a call today from Congresswoman Barbara Lee's office, who will be sending Marvin X and the Black Arts Movement a commendation for 50 years as artistic freedom fighters. Marvin X was approached at Laney College by a member of her staff. The poet is contemplating what he wants Congresswoman Lee to do as per BAM. The spirit tells Marvin X to tell Congresswoman Lee, "When you become US Ambassador to Cuba, I want you to fly out my family and all BAM members who want to relocate to Cuba."

Assata Shakur, Revolutionary Black Nationalist, BLA, exiled in Cuba

BAM ona move to Sacramento 

The Black Arts Movement 27 City Tour is establishing a partnership with the Sacramento Black Book Fair.  We are working on participating in the Sacramento Black Book Fair with our physical and wellness boot camps, BAM women authors panel, BAM Black Arts Babies panel and a performance by the BAM Poet's Choir and Arkestra. June, 2015. Stay tuned for more information. 510-200-4164; www.blackbirdpressnews.blogspot.com

Marvin X on Pacifica Radio, Houston, Texas, Sunday, 8:30pm

Marvin X will be interviewed on Pacifica Radio's sister station in Houston, Texas, Sunday, 8:30pm. Sister Akua will interview the brother who is a frequent visistor to Houston, often speaking at Texas Southern University and University of Houston, as well as SHAPE Community Center and elsewhere. 

More Video: BAM Physical Wellness Bootcamp at Laney College

Video: BAM Physical Wellness Bootcamp at Laney College, Michael Bennett, Lynn Cole

Video: BAM 50th Anniversary - Laney College, Oakland, CA

BAM: Next Stop San Francisco, HP, TL, Fillmore, Lakeview

 

Panel on BAM/Black Power Babies, an inter-generational  dialogue between artists/activists and their children: Laney College moderator is Davey D, participants include Renya Collins and Terry Collins, Kujichagulia and Taiwo, Marvin X and Nefertiti

photo South Park Ken Johnson

 

 BAM and Black Women Writers: Elaine Brown, Halifu Osumare, Judy Juanita, Marvin X (Producer) Portia Anderson, Phavia Kujichagulia, Aries Jordan
photo South Park Ken Johnson

 Marvin X with Bay Bridge in b.g., circa 1995
photo South Park Ken Johnson

 Playwright Ed Bullins and Marvin X founded Black Arts West Theatre on Fillmore Street, 1966. Along with Eldridge Cleaver, Bullins and Marvin X established the political/cultural center known as Black House on Broderick Street, 1967.

 Dr. Ayodele Nzinga, poet/playwright/director/producer/actress, performed in Marvin X's long running docudrama One Day in the Life. Marvin X founded Recovery Theatre and produced his play coast to coast, including at San Francisco's Loraine Hansberry Theatre, Buriel Clay Theatre, Bannam Place Theatre, Visitation Valley, Porterro Hill Neighborhood House and elsewhere. Thousands of addicts in recovery saw this production that became a cult classic that Marvin wrote while in the Glide Church Facts on Crack Recovery Program, under Rev. Cecil Williams.

 Dr. Nathan Hare, sociologist and clinical psychologist is part of the BAM Tour, facilitating the
Mental Wellness Project: How to Recover from the Addiction to White Supremacy. Co-facilitator is Suzzette Celeste Johnson, MPA, MSW. The Mental Wellness project is based on Marvin X's manual How to Recover from the Addiction to White Supremacy, a 13 Step manual based on the 12 Model of AA. Dr. Nathan Hare wrote the Foreword.

The Black Arts Movement Poet's Choir and Arkestra at University of California, Merced, Feb/Mar 2014, BAM Conference, a Kim McMillan/Marvin X Production

The BAM Poet's Choir and Arkestra at the Malcolm X Jazz/Art Festival, Oakland, May 17, 2014

Marvin X and BAM Band leader, musician/philosopher Sun Ra. Sun Ra and his Myth-Science Arkestra arranged the musical version of Flowers for the Trashman, retitled Take Care of Business. Performance at the Harding Theatre was five hours without intermission, 1972. They are standing outside Marvin's Black Educational Theatre on O'ferral between Fillmore and Webster. Both were teaching at UC Berkeley during this time until the reactionary academics purged the entire radical faculty in Black Studies.

Earle Davis was a member of Marvin X's Black Arts West Theatre, Fillmore, 1966,

Marvin X, Dr. Julia Hare, Dr. Nathan Hare and Attorney Amira Jackmon, daughter of Marvin X. She was agent for the sale of the Hare's archives organized by Marvin X.

Marvin and the infamous Fillmore Slim on Fillmore Street.

Fillmore gets autographed copy of Marvin's The Wisdom of Plato Negro, Parables/fables

Michael Bennett, YMCA Wellness Director and Marvin X. He vows to help Marvin with physical wellness.

Marvin X and San Francisco's Sheriff Ross Mirkarimi with a copy of Mythology of Pussy and Dick, the most popular piece of writing by Marvin X. Thousands of copies have been published and distributed coast to coast. Young and old fight over the pamphlet as if it's black gold. People steal it from each other or refuse to return it. And it has changed the attitude and behavior of young and old men and women. Marvin has a 400 page version but is not rushing to publish it. He says, "Why should I publish the 400 page version when they can't digest the 18 page pamphlet. Once pass the title, one enters the wonderful world of Marvin X who is a liberator of men and women from patriarchal mythology and domination. Marvin says half the men (and women) are in jail and prison behind pussy and dick issues, simply because they think they own something they don't own. We heard chattel slavery ended some years ago, personal property slavery. Some men don't get it and some women don't get it, hence all the partner violence around the world, among all the religions and ideologies, sects and cults, whether Capitalism or Communism, Socialism.

Marvin X at the Hunters Point/Bayview, YMCA Boot Camp

LeRoi Jones/Amiri Baraka, Chief architect of the Black Arts Movement

Amiri Baraka and Marvin X enjoyed a 47 year friendship as artistic freedom fighters

Mrs. Amina Baraka and Amiri Baraka

Violinist Tarika Lewis, first female member of the Black Panther Party

Marvin X speaks often on KPOO, founded by Joe Rudolph (RIP)

San Francisco gave Amiri Baraka his 75th Birthday party in the Yoshi's screening room on Fillmore, a Marvin X production. Dancer Raynetta Rayzetta bows before AB, showing honor and respect for our greatest revolutionary writer.

Marvin and Black Panther Party artist and Minister of Culture, Emory Douglas

Dewey Redman was a member of the Black Arts West Theatre musicians, 1966, along with Rafael Donald Garrett, Monte Waters, Earle Davis, Oliver Johnson, BJ, et al. They accompanied the plays of Marvin X, Ed Bullins and Amiri Baraka.

Black Arts Movement baby Joshua Redman

Danny Glover performed at Marvin's Black Arts West Theatre, 1966

 Judy Juanita, novelist, BAM/Black Power activist

 Long time San Francisco theatre director, John Henry Doyle (RIP). He produced and directed the plays Ed Bullins and Marvin X

 BAM divas Tureada Mikell, Mechelle LaChaux, Dr. Ayodele Nzinga, violinist Tarika Lewis

photo Gene Hazzard

 

Marvin X and daughter Nefertiti

Daughter told dad to pass the baton!

Dr. Cornel West, Samantha Akwei, Marvin X

Dr. West supports the BAM 27 City Tour

photo Adam Turner

 Left to Right: Paul Cobb, Dr. Leslee Stradford, curator of BAM/Post News Exhibit of San Quentin Art; Rt. Col. Conway Jones, Jr., Chief Adviser to Marvin X; BAM producer Marvin X, Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf, holding Naima Joy, granddaughter of Marvin X; his grandson Jah Amiel, Laney College President Elnora T. Webb, Dr. Nathan Hare, President of the Oakland City Council, Lynette McElhaney

Michael Bennett's Wellness Team from Hunters Point/Bayview, San Francisco, facilitated the Physical Wellness Boot Camp, trainer was Lynn Cole.


We call upon the following San Francisco friends and supporters to help the BAM San Francisco Tour:
San Francisco Sheriff Ross Mirkarimi
London Breed, President, San Francisco Board of Supervisors
Malia Cohen, Supervisor, Bayview/HP
Willie Brown, former Mayor of SF
Harlan Kelly, Jr.
Charlie Walker
Ken Johnson
Terry Collins
Arnold Townsend
Dr. Ken Montiero
Dr. Dorothy Tsuruta
Sheena Johnson
Will and Maxine Ussery
Rev. Cecil Williams
Janice Mirikitani
Amelia Ashley-Ward
George Smith
Geoffery Grier
Michael Bennett
Dr. Rose
San Francisco Theatre Festival
SF Grants for the Arts
SF Arts Commission
Hotel Tax Fund
San Francisco Foundation
San Francisco State University
San Francisco City College
YMCA, San Francisco
KPOO Radio
devorah major
Eugene and Lynette White

Contact Marvin X at 510-200-4164
jmarvinx@yahoo.com
www.blackbirdpressnews.blogspot.com