Posts made in January 2022

Proceeds Benefiting Charities That Provide Shelter and Clothing

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Washington, DC (January 11, 2022) – “I met with President Biden and Vice President Harris shortly after their remarks in Atlanta. I told the president he gave a monumental speech and, though I have been challenging him for months to be forthcoming, it was better late than never. His words issued a clear call to Democrats to challenge whether they’ll be on the side of Dr. King and John Lewis or be on the side of George Wallace and Bull Connor by voting against a sitting president on King holiday. For Democrats to not stand up and support the sitting Democratic President will show that they have betrayed their party and the American people, and their legacies will be forever tainted. I also shared with Vice President Harris that I am thankful for her continued advocacy on this issue and congratulated her on her speech.”

About National Action Network (NAN)

National Action Network is one of the leading civil rights organizations in the Nation with chapters throughout the entire United States. Founded in 1991 by Reverend Al Sharpton, NAN works within the spirit and tradition of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. to promote a modern civil rights agenda that includes the fight for one standard of justice, decency and equal opportunities for all people regardless of race, religion, nationality or gender. For more information go to www.nationalactionnetwork.net.

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The biological son of jazz saxophone great Jimmy Heath, James Mtume was raised by incredible parents James and Bertha Forman. He pursued training as a swimmer while attending Pasadena City College and was recruited for the 1968 Olympics but decided to instead take a different direction and joined the Cultural Nationalist Organization US. It was during this time that he’d taken the namesake of Mtume (Swahili for “messenger” ). In the early 1970’s Mtume shifted towards music as a solid percussionist who went on to tour and record with Miles Davis. Mtume would eventually record with his own group the Mtume Umoja Ensemble as well as on sessions with Duke Ellington, McCoy Tyner, Freddie Hubbard, Sonny Rollins and a host of other jazz greats.

By the mid-late 1970’s with longtime musical partner Reggie Lucas, Mtume forged a path combining soul, jazz and funk (he called it “Sophistifunk” ). The result was a slew of hit productions with Roberta Flack/Donny Hathaway ( “The Closer I Get to You”, “Back Together Again” ), Phyllis Hyman ( “You Know How to Love Me” ) and Stephanie Mills ( “Whatcha Gonna Do With My Lovin’”, “Never Knew Love Like This Before”) .

In the early 1980’s Mtume formed the group that bore his namesake and created five best selling albums as well as eleven R&B hits, including the #1 multiplatinum smash “Juicy Fruit” (1982) and the Top 3 hit “You, Me and He” (1984). It was during this time that Mtume took his “Sophistifunk” sound and combined it with the emerging technology of drum machines and synthesizers.

In the 1990’s Mtume made his way into the world of soundtracks, creating music for films such as scoring for the film “Native Son” and served as the music supervisor for the television series “New York Undercover” (producing the music for scenes at the fictional nightclub Natalie’s). At the same time, Mtume’s activism continued via his co-hosting duties on NYC’s WBLS-FM’S community talk series Open Line, a role he served for eighteen years.

The millennium found Mtume sharing his knowledge regarding the business of music in arenas such as the Red Bull Academy in Tokyo and TED Talks.

James Mtume is survived by his wife Kamili Mtume; brother Jeffrey Forman; sons Faulu Mtume, Richard Johnson; daughters Benin Mtume, Eshe King, Ife Mtume, Sanda Lee; grandchildren Sukari Mtume, Yamani Mtume, Craig McCargo, Mazi Mtume, Aya Mtume, Jhasi Mtume.

Random House Children’s Books is releasing a new picture book by Darryl “DMC” McDaniels, founding member of the rap group Run-DMC. The title, Darryl’s Dream, will come out in print and ebook form under the Random House Books for Young Readers imprint on January 4, 2022, as well as in an audiobook edition, read by McDaniels and offered through Listening Library.

The book is based on McDaniel’s childhood and is about a shy third grader who wears thick glasses and, despite being teased, wants to share his talents in rhymes. Its themes include creativity, confidence, and finding your voice, as young Darryl learns to celebrate himself.

“Darryl is a music pioneer and legend and has been doing a lot to improve the lives of children,” Chris Angelilli, Random House’s v-p and editor-in-chief of licensed publishing, told Publishers Weekly. Some of McDaniels’s achievements include launching The Felix Organization, a nonprofit supporting kids in foster care, appearing before Congress on behalf of adoptees and foster kids, working with Michelle Obama on her Let’s Move! campaign, and speaking on respect and responsibility. He also owns a comic book company called Darryl Makes Comics and has made appearances at Comic Con. “He’s a real humanitarian and renaissance man,” Angelilli said.

ViacomCBS and McDaniels developed the project and presented the finished book to Random House. “We liked the story and the message, and the illustrations,” said Angelilli, who added that serious discussions are ongoing about more books for 2022 and into 2023, including more titles featuring the young Darryl character as well as other formats.

Random House is one of the first licensees of ViacomCBS and Nickelodeon’s new cross-category licensing program centered on McDaniels, who is also providing his voice for the literacy program What’s the Word? on the company’s Noggin interactive leaning service. Books from Random House, one of Nickelodeon’s longtime publishing partners, join other McDaniels products including apparel and accessories available through the Nickelodeon store on Amazon.

Darryl’s Dream information:

From hip-hop pioneer Darryl “DMC” McDaniels comes Darryl’s Dream, a new picture book about creativity, confidence, and finding your voice.

Meet Darryl, a quiet third grader with big hopes and dreams. He loves writing and wants to share his talents, but he’s shy—and the kids who make fun of his glasses only make things worse. Will the school talent show be his chance to shine? Darryl’s Dream, by iconic performer Darryl “DMC” McDaniels, is a story about finding confidence, facing bullies, and celebrating yourself. This full-color picture book is certain to entertain children and parents with its charming art and important message.

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Random House Books for Young Readers (January 4, 2022)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 32 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0593487745
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0593487747
Reading age ‏ : ‎ 3 – 7 years
Grade level ‏ : ‎ Preschool – 2
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 15.2 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 10.25 x 0.32 x 10.31 inches