"The Penalty for Success - My Father Was Lynched in Lowndes County, Alabama" by Josephine Bolling McCall

Josephine Bolling McCall

Elmore Bolling 

This weekend, I had the pleasure of meeting Josephine Bolling McCall during her San Francisco Bay Area Book tour for "The Penalty of Success - My Father Was Lynched in Lowndes County, Alabama."

Ms. Bolling McCall is a retired psychologist who was five years old when her father was murdered.  After retirement, she set upon her investigation to uncover what really happened to her father.

The book tells the story of the murder of a black man in 1940s Lowndes County, Alabama. It is a story that reveals the scheme to cover up a "lynching". The author's story of her father's brutal murder presents convincing evidence that he was lynched although he was not hanged, mutilated, or burned in front of a crowd of people. Elmore Bolling was shot six times in the front of his body with a pistol and once in the back with a shotgun. After years of research, including interviews with relatives and elderly Lowndes County residents, Josephine Bolling McCall sought and found answers to many troubling questions about events in her father's live. Her journey of discovery presents a revealing narrative of a time, a place, and a people that challenges us to rethink the reality of life for both blacks and whites in a rural, southern community. (From Amazon.com)

Rest In Power, ERMIAS ASGHEDOM "Nipsey Hussle" - Murdered in the Community He Loved

Ermias Asghedom (Nipsey Hussle)

August 15, 1985 - March 31, 2019

I never met Nipsey Hussle.  I learned of him and his work through my daughter.  

However, in his short life, he not only worked hard to bring relief and joy to the community in which he was raised, he crossed color, race and class lines in a desperate attempt to make the world a better place for Black people.  And specifically his Los Angeles Crenshaw community.

How did that community repay him?   He was gunned down in cold blood in front of the store which he opened in that same community.

His shocking death has an eerily similar resemblance to the death of Tupac.  

I don't buy into the conspiracy theories.  I do not believe he was killed because his work on the documentary about Dr. Sebi.  I believe he was murdered by the very people he loved.  And almost certainly by someone he knew.  

Because of his Eritrean American background he knew what it meant to be proud of who you are and proud of your heritage.  He had been to Africa multiple times.  

I can only imagine the pain and suffering his parents, siblings, Lauren London and his beautiful daughter and son are feeling at this moment.

We are blessed that he left in this world, his artistic and intellectual mark which will live on forever.

San Francisco Mayor London Breed

In Conversation with Meena Harris on March 7, 2019
San Francisco Commonwealth Club
(Photo Credit:  Johnnie Burrell)

National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc., Oakland/Bay Area Chapter's 21st Annual Madam C.J. Walker Luncheon and Empowerment Forum

KEYNOTE SPEAKER:

APRIL RYAN

WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT AND BEST-SELLING AUTHOR

APRIL 19, 2019

MARRIOTT MARQUIS, 780 MISSION ST., SAN FRANCISCO

REGISTER HERE TODAY!

A CDA Consulting Production

Cathy Adams, 510-653-4085

cdaconsulting@gmail.com

Join POWERFUL WOMEN OF THE BAY on Friday, March 8, 2019 in Oakland

Powerful Women of the Bay are Celebrating Women's History month and the Contributions of Outstanding Women in the San Francisco Bay Area at their 10th Annual Awards Luncheon.

Friday, March 8, 2019
Scott's Seafood
Jack London Square
Oakland, CA

For more information regarding Sponsorship or Tickets, contact:

Cathy D. Adams, cathy@cdaconsultinggroup.com

(A CDA Consulting Group Production)

(there are a few remaining seats)

Jussie Smollett - the one that got away. . .

Honestly, I haven't written this post before today because I really wanted to be wrong.  I didn't want to rush to judgment.

I didn't really want to believe that someone would make up such a hurtful lie.  Although, I admit that I never thought it was true from the first time I heard the scenario.  Which, is another reason I didn't want to say anything.

But at this point, it's like "the elephant in the room."

I won't get into the details of Smollett's tale of being the alleged victim of a duo of "MAGA" supporters who, as you know by now, allegedly poured bleach on him and tied a makeshift noose around his neck in the middle of winter in freezing cold temperatures on the streets of Chicago as he strolled out for a late night/early morning Subway sandwich.

And, yes, this hurts many people, including Smollett.  We have the people who work and make their livings on the hit show 'Empire,' castmates, friends, the many politicians, activists and celebrities who came out in support of Mr. Smollett when the story first surfaced, the LGBT community and the African American community who will suffer (hopefully not in silence) because of Smollett's selfish need to be the center of attention.

However, I'm also very offended by the portrayal of the alleged attackers.  They've been spoofed, objectified, stereotyped and even though they may have been willing participants in what appears to be a terrible sham, they too, are victims in a sense.  Victims of a society who loves to point fingers and laugh at black men.

Bottom line - it's all bad.  

West Oakland Health Center - 50th Anniversary Gala

Details

Date:

February 16, 2019

Time:

6:00 pm - 11:00 pm

Cost:

$ - See event webpage

Event Categories:

Adult, Art/Culture, Community, East Bay, Fundraiser, Gala/Awards, Health & Wellness, Oakland, Performing Arts, Young Professionals & Young Adults

Website:

http://bit.ly/2UxgoJ5