Sojo's Trumpet

2012 African Cup Of Nations- Allez Les Elephants-Go Cote d'Ivoire

2012-02-12T08:02:00.000-05:00

You haven't seen a real soccer fan until you've seen an Elephant supporter

Ayub Ogada- Spendid

2012-01-29T15:07:00.000-05:00

I listened, again, this morning to Kenyan writer Binyavanga Wainaina’s “How Not to Write about Africa” and this time I was pull into this piece by the background music. I wondered how I had not first said OMG, who is this. Well, it’s Kenyan musician Ayub Ogada. He is splendid. Listen.

The Geek Shall Inherit the Earth; Kick It With A Geek

2012-01-29T14:25:00.001-05:00

If you’re a fan of Will.i.am, of the Black Eyed Peas, you know he is a technology fan. That’s why I wasn’t surprised to learn that he is even a bigger fan of promoting young people to explore the sciences and make their own inventions. Listen to following video to learn more.

Here is a link to learn more about the science program I Am First: http://iamfirst.dipdive.com/

And here is a great scholarship opportunity from Goggle for those interested in computer science, software development or computer technology in general.

As part of Google’s commitment to advancing computing and technology, they are providing scholarships to support students in their study of computer science.

The Generation Google Scholarship is a new program for aspiring computer scientists to excel in technology and become active role models and leaders in the field. Selected students will receive $10,000 USD (for those studying in the US) or $5,000 CAD (for those studying in Canada) a year for up to four years (or until graduation, whichever comes first) so long as they maintain criteria for renewal. Recipients will also be invited to attend Google’s Computer Science Summer Institute (CSSI) in the summer of 2012.

Who Should Apply?
Applicants must be high school seniors and meet the following eligibility criteria:
• Intends to be enrolled in or accepted as a full-time student at a university in the US or Canada for the 2012-2013 school year
• Intends to be enrolled in or accepted for enrollment in a baccalaureate Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Software Engineering, or related program
• Exemplifies leadership and demonstrates a commitment to and passion for computer science and technology through involvement in their community
• Strong record of academic achievement
• A student from an underrepresented group in computer science (African American, Hispanic, American Indian, Female, or a Person with a Disability)
• Demonstrates financial need.
For complete details, visit the Generation Google Scholarship site.
Deadline to apply: Monday, February 20, 2012 Questions? Email us at generationgoogle@google.com

For more information about student opportunities at Google, check out www.google.com/students

The Versatile Blogger Award- Sojo’s Trumpet ?

2012-01-21T14:49:00.000-05:00

I'm the girl with the bows. I'm with my family in my grandfather's village in Cote d'Ivoire. It's all about memories.

We have all read books that have moved us forward in some important way and made us wonder about the world and our place in it. After Gandhi: One Hundred Years of Non-Violent Resistance by Anne Sibley O’Brien and Perry Edmond O’Brien is one of those books that made me want to go out and change the world for the better because it gave examples of people who did just that. Here is my review of this book almost three years ago. This is the best gift you can get to inspire a young person in your life to see the possibility of one’s actions making a real, moral difference: http://trumpetworld.blogspot.com/2009/05/after-gandhi-one-hundred-years-of.html

I am revisiting this book today, because recently Ms. O’ Brien was kind enough to nominate me for the Versatile Blogger Award. I thank her and here is a link to her blog- Coloring Between the Lines; Reflections on Race, Culture and Children’s Books http://coloringbetween.blogspot.com/

The Rules

1. Thank the award-giver and link back to them in your post.
2. Share 7 things about yourself.
3. Pass this award along to 5 blogs you enjoy reading.
4. Contact your chosen bloggers to let them know about the award.

Seven things you didn’t know about me

1. I am one of the 55 finalists for the 2012 Knight Foundation Arts Challenge/Philadelphia. More than 1200 people applied.

http://www.knightarts.org/community/philadelphia/55-finalists-named-in-knight-arts-challenge-philadelphia

2. I am from the Baoule ethnic group in Cote d’Ivoire and one of my heroines is Queen Pokou:
http://www.pascalmpeck.com/Paintings/Queen-Pokou.html

3. I am now a major fan of Junot Diaz and his novel The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao. http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=97336132

4. I am also a major fan of French tennis player Gael Monfils: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bW9zKEiy77A

5. I am also a Philly girl and no one represents us better than Jill Scott: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4QCXr79Rkcw

6. I support the honesty and goal of the new film Pariah. Go see it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rbBiTlGhrPY

7. I love Korean food and my Korean language skills are coming along. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0t3ch-UAbo0&feature=relmfu

Blogs I Enjoy

1. Coloring Between the Lines; Reflections on Race, Culture and Children’s Books http://coloringbetween.blogspot.com/

2. Africa is a Country http://africasacountry.com/

3. Black Girl Flow http://www.blackgirlflow.com/

4. Girls’ State of the Union http://womensmediacenter.com/blog/girls-state-of-the-union/

5. Amnesty International http://www.amnestyusa.org/

Remember the Golden Rule- Happy New Year

2012-01-19T20:41:00.001-05:00

The Problem We All Live With-Norman Rockwell, 1963; In honor of Ruby Bridges

Southern Justice-Norman Rockwell, 1965; in honor of the three young Civil Rights activists who were killed while trying to register people to vote in the South-James Chaney, Andrew Goodman and Michael Schwerner

Negro in the Suburbs, Norman Rockwell, 1967; Take note how each set of kids has a baseball mitt

I want to open the New Year with a post about the power of love and how as artists our work can be influenced by who we love and how the right kind of love can make us brave. For many older people like my grandfather, who introduced me to the work of the illustrator and painter Norman Rockwell, Mr. Rockwell was a beloved, almost iconic figure, even for African-Americans who rarely were represented in his work which appeared on the covers of the Saturday Evening Post for more than 40 years. I learned that the Saturday Evening Post and many publications at that time had an editorial policy that African-Americans could only be presented in subservient or menial positions. When African-Americans did show up in Mr. Rockwell’s paintings we were there just as background.

But he found in his third wife, Molly Punderson, the encouragement to open his eyes and make a big leap into the kind of artistic work that makes a statement and takes a stand. Mr. Rockwell left The Saturday Evening Post and joined Look Magazine where he did the kind of illustrations I admire him for.

Please click on the images to learn more about the subjects of the illustrations and give it up for the power of love.

The Tables Are Starting to Turn- The World Has Spoken

2011-12-25T15:44:00.000-05:00

I recently discovered Tracy Chapman and I adore her because she uses her talent to shed light, in a subtle, powerful way, on those who are too often overwhelmed to react against the weight of their obligations and disappointments. Two years ago, I went to New York with my mom and Miss Trudy and Tante Mona to see a play called The Things of Dry Hours. ( Here’s a link to my review: http://trumpetworld.blogspot.com/2009/06/things-of-dry-hours-at-new-york-theatre.html )

The title of the play is taken from a great Gwendolyn Brooks poem called kitchenette building. Ms. Brooks,like Tracy, is subtle and powerful in her presentation of why people sometimes fail to dream or keep a dream alive.

Happy Holidays. Power to the Imagination. Power to the 99%. Here is Tracy Chapman singing Talking About a Revolution.

Kitchenette Building
by Gwendolyn Brooks

We are things of dry hours and the involuntary plan, 
Grayed in, and gray. "Dream" makes a giddy sound, not strong 
Like "rent," "feeding a wife," "satisfying a man." 

But could a dream send up through onion fumes   
Its white and violet, fight with fried potatoes   
And yesterday's garbage ripening in the hall,   
Flutter, or sing an aria down these rooms 

Even if we were willing to let it in, 
Had time to warm it, keep it very clean,   
Anticipate a message, let it begin? 

We wonder. But not well! not for a minute!   
Since Number Five is out of the bathroom now,   
We think of lukewarm water, hope to get in it.

from "Selected Poems" © 1963 by Gwendolyn Brooks.
Reprinted with the permission of the Estate of Gwendolyn Brooks

It's Our Time; It's Our World

2011-12-24T17:42:00.001-05:00

One of my goals is to visit and study in China. Last year I was selected as an alternate to study Mandarin in China through the National Security Language Initiative for Youth. This program sends teenagers around the world to study critical languages such as Mandarin, Arabic, Hindi, Farsi, Russian and Korean to name a few. It’s an intense process to get selected, but if you do, all expenses are paid and you get to open your mind and heart to another culture. I am undeterred. I will get to China. Here’s more information about the National Security Language Initiative for Youth: http://exchanges.state.gov/youth/programs/nsli.html

Another great organization that sends teens abroad is Americans Promoting Study Abroad. The following video tells it all:

To learn more about this summer program, visit http://www.apsaglobal.org/

The Ron Brown Scholar Program

2011-12-24T16:46:00.000-05:00

I am so happy to be home. There is no place like home. This coming week I plan to focus on upcoming scholarship and summer programs. Here we go. A big shout out to Ms. Murray for sharing the following:

The Ron Brown Scholar Program
This program seeks to identify African-American high school seniors who will make significant contributions to society.

Applicants must excel academically, exhibit exceptional leadership potential, participate in community service activities and demonstrate financial need. The applicant must be a US citizen or hold a permanent resident visa card. Current college students are not eligible to apply.

Recipients may use the renewable scholarships to attend an accredited four-year college or university of their choice within the United States.

Ron Brown Scholarships are not limited to any specific field or career objective and may be used to pursue any academic discipline. More than 200 students have been designated as Ron Brown Scholars since the inception of the Program.

Award Amount : $10,000
Deadline: Usually in January
Website/Contact Info: www.ronbrown.org/Apply/EligibilityRequirements.aspx

Reconstructing the Self- The Musical Billy Elliot

2011-11-26T12:43:00.001-05:00

Billy Elliot

A Review By Sojourner Ahebee

Sarah Jones is a playwright and actress who has created a cast characters who come from a wide-range of economic, cultural and ethnic backgrounds. Ms. Jones, who is African-American, uses her insight and talent and becomes her characters. We, the audience, are enchanted to come into their world and listen to their stories, in their voices.

I was recently listening to a video in which Ms. Jones shared her motivation for creating her characters. She was interested, she said, by how people construct a sense of themselves given the family, the geography, the times, the gender, etc. in which they are born. How do we become ourselves? How do we invent or reinvent ourselves, especially in an environment which is constraining.

Last Thursday I saw the musical, Billy Elliot, as part of the Kimmel Center’s Broadway Presents series, in Philadelphia. My Aunt Mona had seen the New York production and had raved about this musical. So I was certainly looking forward to seeing it, and the Philly presentation, at the Academy of Music, was no let down. Billy Elliot is a must see.

Billy is a kid growing up in a coal mining town in England during the time of Margaret Thatcher’s rule and a time of economic difficulties. His family is working class and the men in his family have been coal miners for generations. My Aunt Mona, who visits England often, said it is difficult for Americans to appreciate the very rigid class structure that exists in British society. It is so oppressive as to almost dictate what your desires are and what you dream and how far you can transcend the background in which you were born.

When we first meet Billy, the coalminers in his town are on strike. His father and brother are coalminers and money is very tight. Despite these economic challenges, Billy’s father sacrifices a lot to pay for Billy to take boxing lessons, which Billy hates. While going to a boxing lesson, Billy sees a group of ballet dancers practicing in a room in the gym. He is immediately enchanted.
The ballet instructor, Ms. Wilkinson, immediately pulls Billy into the classroom and a love affair begins with Billy and the dance of ballet.

How does a boy, in an English coalmining town, from a family of coalminers, against the background of the 1984 coal miners’ strike, become a ballet dancer? Going back to Ms. Jones, what circumstances are needed for the boy from his geography, economic background, and gender and so on to reconstruct himself as a ballet dancer?

How to knock down barriers so you can rise to grow into who you want to be is the essence of what this musical is about. Go and see it and be inspired.

Here is a link to the dates and times of the performances. The run in Philadelphia closes on Sunday, November 27th, so hurry to see Billy Elliot. http://kimmelcenter.org/events/index.php?id=4027

Happy Birthday Songs in the Key of Life

2011-11-23T21:44:00.000-05:00

Sunday Best

Reurinkjan

In the Ahebee pantheon of gods, Stevie Wonder ranks pretty high. It’s the 35th anniversary of Mr. Wonder’s Album-Songs in the Key of Life. My mom actually has this album-yes album-not CD-that she proudly bought when she was 14. In my grandparents’ house, my grandfather still has this contraption called a 8 track cassette player for his Ink Spots and Nat King Cole tapes. And yes, they still have a record player, which is the neatest thing of all. And so, we’re blasting Stevie and singing his songs the old-fashioned way; with a lot of heart.

My favorite song on this album is I Wish. This song is so universal. Here is the Korean group Sweet Sorrow singing I Wish. HappyThanksgiving!

Holiday Cards with Messages that Matter & James Brown and Luciano Pavarotti Singing Together

2011-11-22T11:32:00.000-05:00

You can order my socially and politically progressive holiday cards and get a 50% discount only today. Use Code: GIVEMAILINGS Here is the link to my Zazzle store. Click here, also, to read the messages inside of the cards. http://www.zazzle.com/28pokou4

Here’s my Thanksgiving treat to you; a duet featuring James Brown and Luciano Pavarotti- It’s a Man’s World. Check out the lyrics of Pavarotti’s part.

Michelle Obama Unveils Student Poet Program

2011-11-21T22:17:00.000-05:00

Brave New Voices slam champion Joshua Bennett performs "Tamaraʼs Opus" at the White House Evening of Poetry, Music, and the Spoken Word on May 12, 2009.

This is hot off the press. This is an amazing opportunity for us poets. Read on.

Reprinted from Reuters:

(Reuters) - First Lady Michelle Obama on Monday helped launched a new arts program to pick five student poets from high schools who will spend one year promoting poetry through readings, workshops and other activities.

The National Student Poets program is created by the President's Committee on the Arts and Humanities, of which the first lady is honorary chair, and the Institute of Museum and Library Services through a partnership with nonprofit group, the Alliance for Young Artists & Writers.

"What you learn through reading and writing poetry will stay with you throughout your life," Obama said in a statement. "It will spark your imagination and broaden your horizons and even help your performance in the classroom."

The five National Student Poets will be chosen from a pool of teenagers who have already received a national Scholastic Art & Writing Award for poetry. The selection panel will be comprised of poet Terrance Hayes, "Kenyon Review" editor David Lynn, Alice Quinn of the Poetry Society of America, and the Library of Congress' Robert Casper.

More than 185, 000 students apply annually for the Scholastic Art & Writing Award and since 1923, winners have included teenagers such as Truman Capote, Sylvia Plath, Joyce Carol Oates and others.

The first five National Student Poets will be announced in summer 2012, and will each receive academic awards of $5,000. They will serve as literary ambassadors in their communities and encourage kids to develop writing and creative skills.

"The National Student Poets work will give greater visibility to the voice and perspective of today's youth," said Virginia McEnerney, executive director of the Alliance for Young Artists & Writers.

The President's Committee on the Arts and Humanities focuses on increasing creativity in schools and engaging students in being innovative. The Institute of Museum and Library Services makes federal grants aimed at creating strong libraries and museums.

(Reporting and Writing by Piya Sinha-Roy; Editing by Bob Tourtellotte)

Ben Heine; Photographer and Illustrator in One

2011-11-20T15:25:00.000-05:00

Photograph abd drawing by Ben Heine

Ben Heine, like me, was born in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire, and left when he was 7 years-old. And like me, he uses his memories of his birthplace to create some amazing artwork. Here is a link to his site.
http://www.benheine.com/

Michelle Obama by Jasmine Mans

2011-11-18T13:22:00.001-05:00

Michelle Obama- photo credit: SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images

Jasmine Mans is an amazing talent. I'll let her speak for herself.

Stop the Pity; Unlock the Potential

2011-11-13T13:25:00.000-05:00

People are beginning to get it right!!! Mama Hope is empowering people across the divide to help each other through recognizing how much they are, indeed, connected. Mama Hope’s newest video campaign, Stop the Pity and Unlock the Potential, seeks “to show the energy and potential of Africa and the interconnectedness we share. It is only when people are no longer seen through the stereotypes of poverty that we can begin to see we are not so different from each other. When the pity stops, the potential can be unlocked. This means more progress, but it will take all of us.”

I love, love, love this video. Here’s the link to learn more about Mama Hope. http://www.mamahope.org/

Get my poem, Listen to Africa, which has been published by the Syracuse Cultural Workers as a poster. Display it and spread the word that we’re cool like that. Here’s the link to purchase the poster:

http://syracuseculturalworkers.com/poster-listen-africa

Mapping Stereotypes

2011-11-06T21:03:00.000-05:00

Designer and illustrator Yanko Tsvetkov has created this startling vision of Africa as seen through American eyes as part of his clever Mapping Stereotypes series.

This is why you need to purchase my poster, Listen to Africa, published the Syracuse Cultural Workers. I turn those stereotypes upside-down. Here’s the link: http://syracuseculturalworkers.com/poster-listen-africa

Socially and Politically Progressive Holiday Cards

2011-10-30T22:54:00.000-04:00

Happy Writing! Happy New Year !

It's your time to bloom. This is the great Paul Robeson.

Message from Harlem Renaissance Poet

Kwanzaa Card featuring Sculptor Edmonia Lewis

Inside contains the Solidarity Statement from Cairo

Please check out my new Holiday Cards. I love them. They are nontraditional in that the messages seek to be inclusive and recognize the aspirations of us all. This year’s cards celebrate everything from Occupation Wall Street to gay love to Kwanzaa to everything in between. Plus, you can still buy my other cards for different occasions.

Enjoy! And order. There’s a sale on at Zazzle that ends Halloween night. Merci.

Here’s the link to my Zazzle Store: http://www.zazzle.com/28pokou4

Hahn-Bin: Edgy , Self-loving and Making Classical Music Exciting

2011-10-21T20:13:00.000-04:00

Making Classical Music Fun and Young-Hahn-Bin

Hahn-Bin

Hann-bin, a 24-year-old violinist from South Korea, is making classical music fun and engaging for his audiences.

Get to know him: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=psq5cQenrG0

Life in Marvelous Times-Mos Def & The Brooklyn Philharmonic

2011-10-11T18:19:00.001-04:00

It's all about the music and the message.

Who said rap and classical music can’t blend to create something really meaningful and current? Check out Mos Def and the Brooklyn Philharmonic. Imagine if The Philadelphia Orchestra paired with some local poet/rapper , say, like Crucial or Ursula Rucker or even me???? Blend on…..

*Remember, this month I'm promoting my Listen to African poem/poster published by the Syracuse Cultural Workers. Here's the link: http://syracuseculturalworkers.com/poster-listen-africa

Celebrating Teen Entrepreneurship

2011-10-09T13:56:00.001-04:00

The recurring theme of my mom and my Aunt Danni, with regard to the goal of their sacrifice to get their children the best education, is for us to always plan to work for ourselves; to be entrepreneurs . I, Auguste, Daniel and Gideon have been practicing this concept in a lot of ways and for a while now. Look at the top of this site, here is my line of greeting cards-Sojo Pokou Cards, which feature historical figures, mostly African-Americans and their words of wisdom. And now I have my Listen to Africa poster, published by the Syracuse Cultural Workers, to add to my growing empire(Smile.)

Here are links to

Sojo Pokou Cards: http://www.zazzle.com/28pokou4
Syracuse Cultural Workers: http://syracuseculturalworkers.com/poster-listen-africa

This month I will highlight the entrepreneurial success of teens around the world. Kudos to this teen brother and sister, Catherine and Dave Cook, who built a 100-million dollar business- MYYEARBOOK.com Learn more.

Listen to Africa and the rest of the World-This Year's Nobel Prize Peacemakers

2011-10-08T13:27:00.001-04:00

Winners of the 2011 Nobel Prize for Peace

I told you a few days ago that my poem, Listen to Africa, has been published by the Syracuse Cultural Workers as a poster and is available for purchase. What I am most proud of is the fact that one of my heroes mentioned in this poem- Elle Johnson Sirleaf is one of the co-winners of this year’s Nobel Prize for Peace. Also recognized in my poem is the wisdom of Wangari Maathai. She was the first African woman to win a Nobel Peace Prize, which she received in 2004. She died last week.

Listen to Africa. Here's the link to order this poster: http://syracuseculturalworkers.com/poster-listen-africa

Raising Cain-The Occupy Wall Street March

2011-10-06T23:58:00.000-04:00

AP Photo-John Minchillo

My maternal grandmother is a southern woman to the core and she has the best sayings. They’re not all southern in origin, but I associate them with the South because of the precise imagery and over-the-top sense of urgency they create. One of her favorite phrases of wisdom is,” go out and raise some Cain.” …meaning make some noise, let people know you are tired and you’re not going to take it anymore.

Well, I ‘m happy that everyday people are raising Cain over our failing economy and are identifying the role the Wall Street Banks have played in this decline. I’m quite excited about this Occupy Wall Street March which started on Sept 17, 2011. It has pick-up momentum and sparked demonstrations around the country. Yesterday, New York City saw its largest group of protesters since the march started. Check out the following video and see an example of a teenager, like us, caring about real issues-our country’s future. What I like about this guy-Jelani Gibson-is he knows when to follow Grandma.
http://vimeo.com/30154493

My Poster is Ready- Order Now

2011-10-05T23:59:00.000-04:00

Sorry, but I need to blow my own horn. The Syracuse Cultural Workers, which is the premiere catalog company for progressive resources, has recently published my poem, Listen to Africa, as a poster. So please, check out their site and order my poster and so many other cool items.

http://syracuseculturalworkers.com/poster-listen-africa

Calle 13- Making Clear the Connections

2011-10-02T13:40:00.000-04:00

Calle 13

My mom just turned me on to Calle 13, an alternative hip-hop group from Puerto Rico and they are on fire. They infuse their music with a lot of social commentary. Here is Latin America and with this project they collaborated with artists from Peru like Susana Baca. Happy Sunday Listening!!! And do get the message.

Happy Birthday John Coltrane

2011-09-30T20:14:00.000-04:00

John Coltrane, 33rd and Diamond Sts., Phialdelphia

Every time by mother crosses the Girard Street Bridge and takes that left onto 33^rd Street, she always points out the house where saxophonist John Coltrane lived during his time in Philadelphia. Then we have to travel further down to see a mural of him at 33^rd and Diamond Streets. But I never mind. I’m just amazed at the talent that has moved through my city. Last week was John Coltrane’s birthday and in honor of this, let’s listen to My Favorite Things. Thank you, Maria!!!