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

BSU at Merritt College benefit for Jamaica Study

Black Bird Press News & Review: Marvin X speaks at the Black Caucus of California Community Colleges Conference, Merritt College

Black Bird Press News & Review: Marvin X speaks at the Black Caucus of California Community Colleges Conference, Merritt College

Marvin X will discuss the Bay Area history of the Black Arts Movement, of which he is a founder

Friday, February 13, 2:30, in the Huey P. Newton, Bobby Seale Room

Black Bird Press News & Review: Senator Barbara Boxer--In Search of My Soul Sister

Black Bird Press News & Review: Senator Barbara Boxer--In Search of My Soul Sister

Please go to the above link to read Marvin's essay In Search of My Soul Sister

 Marvin X and Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf. She presented the BAM poet/playwright with a proclamation in celebration of The Black Arts Movement 50th Anniversary.

Daughter Nefertiti comments on her Dad's essay In Search of My Soul Sister

Oh do I love the way that you preach the TRUTH. There are many sisters who love you and as you say, have always supported you. I am one, and I am eternally grateful for your boldness, for the truth for which you speak. I am grateful for the way that you have allowed yourself to evolve into a whole person, a person who is a lover of humanity. Many of us have gotten stuck into ignorant dogmas that have long ago proven their fallacies, but we fail to abandon them. I love you and you have given birth to a quiet feminine version of yourself.--Nefertiti

Marvin X in a poetic moment with Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf

 Marvin X and Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf at the San Quentin Prison Art Exhibit and Reception for the Black Arts Movement 50th Anniversary Celebration, Laney College, Feb. 7, 2015
photo  Baba Jahahara Amen-RA Alkebulan-Ma'at

BLACK ARTS MOVEMENT #2

Laney College Celebration of the Black Arts Movement and Black Women Writers

Elaine Brown, author, former Chairwoman of the Black Panther Party, Halifu Osumare, Judy Juanita, Producer Marvin X, Portia Anderson, Kujichagulia, Aries Jordan

Elaine & Judy,

It was a rewarding panel, wasn't it?  It proved that when you get thoughtful sisters together, magic happens.  I know we planted some seeds at the Women Writers Panel at the 50th Anniversary of the Black Arts Movement.  Great meeting you Elaine, and great reconnecting with you Judy; already started your novel, and will send my book....

Many Blessings,

Halifu

 

Halifu Osumare, Ph.D.
Professor 
African American & African Studies
University of California, Davis
(530) 402-7425
www.halifuosumare.com

BLACK ARTS MOVEMENT 50th Anniversary Celebration at Laney College, Feb. 7,2015#1.

South Park Kenny Johnson's photos of BAM celebration at Laney College, Oakland Feb 7

 The Panel on Black Arts Movement/Black Power Babies

 Left to Right: Moderator Davey D, Renya Collins, Terry Collins, Phavia Kujichagulia, Taiwo Kujichagulia Seito, Marvin X, Nefertiti Jackmon

 Front row, unidentified person, Dr. Nathan Hare. Far left: Earle Davis with trumpet; Val Serrant, Mechelle LaChaux, Renaldo Ricketts, Nefertiti Jackmon, niece Naima Joy, Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf, Marvin X, grandson Jah Amiel, Aquella Lewis, James Gayles, Paradise Jah Love, Aries Jordan, Laney College President Dr. Elnora T. Webb, Samantha Akwei
photo South Park Kenny Johnson

 Black Arts Movement/Black Power Babies Panelist: Kujichagulia and daughter Taiwo. Taiwo is in the tradition of her mother 100%. Yes, she "brainwashed" Taiwo to save her from the addiction to white supermacy.

Nefertiti, Marvin X's oldest of three daughters. She said, "Dad, you say pass the baton but you won't pass the baton.  We are ready and qualified, so pass the baton." Her remarks went viral throughout the celebration. When the Mayor arrived, she told Nefertiti she'd heard about her comments. Nefertiti told her father weeks ago the program was too intense for one day. By the end of the day, Marvin X was exhausted along with everyone else.
photo South Park Kenny Johnson

 The 50th anniversary of the Black Arts movement conference at Laney College in downtown Oakland, curated by Marvin X, was no mere nostalgia event: "If we have a theme, it is passing the baton to the next generation of artistic freedom fighters," he writes. One of the most vital, engaging, gathering of performers, artists, activists, musicians, and educators I've had the honor of attending (including, for instance, Nathan Hare, Phavia Kujichagulia, Judy Juanita, Elaine Brown, Davey D., Aries Jordan, and a performance by Young Gifted and Black) breathed new life into the struggle against this culture's addiction to white supremacy. This amazing gathering of talent caught the attention of Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf, who declared a Black Arts district in downtown Oakland....--Chris Stroffolino

 Left to Right: Mrs. Gay Cobb, Marvin X, Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf, Laney College President Dr. Elnora T. Webb, Dr. Nathan Hare, Paul Cobb, Publisher Post News Group

Left to Right, Paul Cobb; Laney curator of San Quentin Prison Exhibit, Dr. Leslee Stradford, Conway Jones, Jr., Chief Adviser to Marvin X, Marvin X, Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf holding Marvin's granddaughter Naima Joy, beside is Marvin's grandson Jah Amiel, Laney College President Dr. Elnora T. Webb, Dr Nathan Hare, Oakland City Council President Lynette McElhaney

photo South Park Kenny Johnson

Left to Right: Laney Art Exhibit curator Dr. Leslee Strandford, Marvin X and grandson Jah Amiel, Laney College President Dr. Elnora T. Webb, Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf holding Marvin's granddaughter Naima Joy, Dr. Nathan Hare, President of Oakland City Council, Lynette McElhaney, Retired Col. Conway Jones, Jr., Cheif Adviser to Marvin X

Notes on the Black Arts Movement 50th Anniversary Celebration at Laney College, Oakland CA, Feb 7, 2015

      BAM/Black Power Baby Rashid Shabazz, Marvin X and Dr. Nathan Hare, father of Black Studies

BAM Notes:

Chris Stroffolino, Laney College Radio

The 50th anniversary of the Black Arts movement conference at Laney College in downtown Oakland, curated by Marvin X, was no mere nostalgia event: "If we have a theme, it is passing the baton to the next generation of artistic freedom fighters," he writes. One of the most vital, engaging, gathering of performers, artists, activists, musicians, and educators I've had the honor of attending (including, for instance, Nathan Hare, Phavia Kujichagulia, Judy Juanita, Elaine Brown, Davey D., Aries Jordan, and a performance by Young Gifted and Black) breathed new life into the struggle against this culture's addiction to white supremacy. This amazing gathering of talent caught the attention of Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf, who declared a Black Arts district in downtown Oakland: What might that consist of? Affordable housing for artists? A stepping up of initiatives to educate the youth of Oakland into a tradition too often ignored in our "education" system? More funding to put artists to work in gov't funded projects to rebuild the city's infrastructure (a la WPA on a local level)? An Oakland radio (or even TV) station that truly serves the community, and other anti "urban removal" (anti-gentrification) strategies should all be on the table. This was/is Oakland culture at its finest.--Chris Stroffolino

 

 

BAM Poet's Choir and Arkestra Members: Poetess Kalamu Chache', percussionist/steel drummer Val Serrant, poet Lakiba Pittman at Laney College BAM celebration.

 

 

San Quentin Prison art by Michael Williams.  BAM/Post News Group Isaiah 61 Project

in cooperation with the William James Prison Art Project and Laney College Art Gallery,

curated by Dr. Leslee Stradford, Laney Art Department.

Notes

Lakiba Pittman, member BAM Poet's Choir/Arkestra

Thanks to Marvin X  for being the catalyst which led to the "Black Arts Movement 50th Year Celebration and Conference... Passing the Baton." It took place yesterday - February 7th, 2015 - at Laney College (Black Arts Movement West) !!! The Black Arts Movement (BAM) brought culture to Black America and the world, and was founded by Amiri Baraka, Marvin X, Sonia Sanchez, Nikki Giovanni, Langston Hughes, Maya Angelou, The Harlem Renaissance and more. Started ~1965, the Black Arts Movement was the artistic branch of the Black Power movement. Although started in Harlem, it quickly spread across the continent and the world with deep roots in the bay area. Catalyzing the movement in Oakland and San Francisco, it also spread to the Nairobi community (E. Palo Alto, CA) in the early 70's. Prior to that the man who became my husband and father of my only son was in the underground revolutionary arm of what became The Black Panthers. Years later I sang with the Wajumbe Cultural Ensemble out of San Francisco, led by Nontsizi Cayou and became an integral part of the Nairobi Experience which was a renaissance movement that included education (Nairobi College - one of the first independent Black College institutions on the west coast), health and well-being (way ahead of the health movement today - we had own own gardens, co-ops, fun-runs, meditation), Nairobi Day School, Nairobi High School, the Nairobi Messengers, the Voices of Nairobi (a precursor to Sweet Honey In The Rock), the Nairobi Cultural Center (started by Talala Mshuja and still exists today), Nairobi Institute of Cultural Arts (started by cultural artists - Malonga Casquelourd, Tumani Onabiyi, José Roberto Santos Lorenzo, Al Hajji Robert Rowland, Lakiba and more), Nairobi Vocational & Maintenance School (started by Loyci Stockey) ... and the beginnings of Fua Dia Congo - a Congolese Music & Dance Ensemble. It was a privilege for me to be a part of the Nairobi experience and a privilege for me to be a part of this day. It was A POWERFUL event with speakers, panelists, artists and vendors including Elaine Brown, Joan Tarika Lewis, ToReadah Mikell, Aries Jordan, Aqueila M. Lewis, Kujichagulia Phavia, Mechelle LaChaux, Samantha Akwei, PaRadise ThePoet, Davey D Cook, Val Serrant, Nefertitti Jackmon, Terry Collins, Renaldo Rickets, Claude Lockhart Clark, Randolph Belle - and more, throughout the day; an art gallery featuring well-known artists like James Gayles, Renaldo Rickets plus artists from San Quentin (one pic is attached) - the William James Prison Art Project, a reception with Mayor Libby Schaaf of Oakland, Paul Cobb of the Post News Group, Dr. Elnora T. Webb, Laney College President, and other dignitaries including Nathan Hare, a play by Marvin X directed by Dr. Ayodele Nzinga and the day concluded with the dynamic and powerful BAM Poet Choir and Archestra of which I am a member. YOU HAD TO BE THERE!!!! and hope you help us to spread the living and timely messages and spirit that our ancestors continue to feed us while directing us how to lead our people to a full encompassing of our power and glory. Each poet and musician was on fire with truth, heart, soul, wisdom, humor, direction, dynamic and healing. We are seeking other opportunities to share our creativity - contact Marvin X for booking information: 510-200-4164.

 Sista Adama Mosley (in white outfit) working out

 Samantha Akwei (Red shirt), Assistant to Marvin X, working out

 YMCA Wellness Trainer, Lynn Cole

 Michael Bennett, Physical Wellness Director, YMCA SF Hunters Point/Bayview

 Wellness Trainer, former Laney Dance Instructor, Lynn Cole

 Left to Right: Grandsons of Marvin X, Jah Amiel and James

 

 

Participants of the BAM Physical Wellness Boot Camp at Laney College