March Events at Black Star Community Bookstore March just happens to be Women's History Month. And this month, we celebrate the life and work of two phenomenal women, Elder Erma Henderson, president emeritus of the Detroit City Council, and Betty DeRamus, award-winning journalist and author. Both women, in their own unique way, have impacted Detroit politics and helped empower a generation of Black Detroiters (see event listing below for more information). Please join us at one or both of these events as we salute these women and the stories they have to share.
Monday, March 14 * 7pm-8:30pm Reading and Book Signing with Elder Erma Henderson On Monday, March 14 from 7:00pm-8:30pm, Elder Erma Henderson, who served as president of the Detroit City Council for 12 years, will speak about her life experiences, including some as a political activist and advocate for women's rights and racial justice at a time in Detroit's history when few Blacks held public office. A matriarch of our community and a champion for the people, Elder Henderson, who has inspired many women including our own Councilwoman JoAnn Watson, will also autograph copies of her book Down Through the Years: The Memoirs of Detroit City Council President Emeritus Erma Henderson. Thursday, March 17 * 7pm-9pm Building Healthy Communities Through Grassroots Activism: A Conversation with Charles Simmons On Thursday, March 17 from 7pm-9pm, Charles Simmons, veteran activist and founding member of the Committee for the Political Resurrection of Detroit, will share his views on building healthy communities through the kind of grassroots activism that successfully shut down the Henry Ford Hospital Incinerator, which was located in his own neighborhood. Focused on problem-solving, Simmons has spent much of his career organizing around social/environmental justice issues. Over the years, he has helped build coalitions among various groups and supported many others. A student activist during the socially conscious 60's and early 70's, Simmons organized an underground newspaper, the Hilltop Grapevine and later wrote for the Nation of Islam's weekly national publication, Muhammad Speaks. Simmons has lived and worked in New York, DC, and LA, but he calls Detroit home. Wherever he has lived, he has been a critical voice in challenging injustice and inequality in underdeveloped and oppressed communities. More a conversation than a lecture, this event is part of a series of intergenerational dialogues with bookstore owner Malik Yakini. Both Simmons and Yakini will share their views on the promise of grassroots activism to transform and empower our communities and provide some practical next steps in organizing our communities for justice. Join us and learn more about Simmons' work and get inspired to become (more) involved in your community. Friday, March 18 * Doors Open at 9pm * $5 Cover Open Mic Poetry Featured poet to be announced. Saturday, March 19 * 5pm-7pm Lecture and Book Signing with Betty DeRamus On Saturday, March 19 from 5:00pm-7:00pm, Detroit News columnist and veteran journalist Betty DeRamus will discuss her new book, Forbidden Fruit: Love Stories from the Underground Railroad. An inspired collection of true stories from a dark era in America's history, Forbidden Fruit tells the untold story of those enslaved Afrikans who, with courage and an eye toward freedom, risked death to love and be loved. In celebration of Women's History Month, DeRamus will share the triumphant stories of three Afrikan women, Lucy Higgs Nichols, Lear Green and Charlotta Pyles in her presentation "Forgotten Women of the Underground Railroad." DeRamus, who was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in commentary in 1993, has written a number of articles for Essence and the African American Family in addition to her work with the Detroit News. Forbidden Fruit was selected as the Editor's Choice in the February 2005 issue of Essence. Saturday, March 19 * 7pm-9pm The Evolution of the Nation of Islam: Lecture and Book Signing with Author Jesus Muhammad-Ali Published in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 attacks and told from the author's unique perspective as the grandson of The Honorable Elijah Muhammad, The Evolution of the Nation of Islam seeks to provide some insight on the Nation of Islam's broad-based value shift and what he calls the "bastardizing" of it's original message. Sunday, March 20 * Taping begins at 7pm Open Forum Live! with hosts Titilayo Akanke, Abeyomi Azikiwe, and Malik Yakini Featured guest: Detroit Mayoral Candidate Sharon McPhail Call (313) 863-2665 to reserve your seat. Space is limited to first 25 people. Friday, March 25 * Doors Open at 9pm * $5 Cover, Free for MCs Hip Hop Open Mic Saturday, March 26 * 2pm-3pm Cleansing Through Mother Nature: Presentation and Demonstration by Greenhouse Cafe More details to follow. Sunday, March 27 * 2pm-4pm * $5 Donation Relax, Release, Relate: Yoga Class and Workshop with Certified Yoga Instructor Tene' Dismuke Looking for a way to RELAX, RELATE to your body, and RELEASE tension, stress and dis-ease? Check us out! Come prepared to learn ancient secrets developed over thousands of years to keep our bodies toned, energized and youthful. This workshop will help promote physical health, strength, flexibility, increase energy, focus the mind, and help balance emotions. By the end of the day you will have a clearer understanding of yoga and how it can benefit you in becoming healthy and happy. Please wear comfortable clothes and bring a mat or blanket. ********************************************************************** Black Star Community Bookstore is located at 19410 Livernois at Outer Drive * (313) 863-BOOK. Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday 11am-7pm, Saturday, 10am-7pm "Serving Detroit's Black Community Since 2000 _______________________________________________ Marxism-Thaxis mailing list Marxism-Thaxis@lists.econ.utah.edu To change your options or unsubscribe go to: http://lists.econ.utah.edu/mailman/listinfo/marxism-thaxis
