Habari Gani Good People!  What's the news on this 2nd day of Kwanzaa?  Kujichagalia, Self Deterination! Today's principal is one of my favorites as it has been a key component in my survival guide in my quest for empowerment, liberation, and the decolonization of my mind.

I've been in many spaces that has pushed me to follow patterns that did not suit me and were just plain unhealthy. I needed to garner the strength to 'define myself, name myself, and speak for myself' as the Nguzo Saba principle states and goes on to say, 'so that you are not defined by others'.  This is a powerful liberator for anyone that wants to follow their dreams and especially for black folks who have been forced to conform to the ways of their oppressor.  Kujichagalia helps us break free and decolonize our ways of thinking and living.

This principle of self determination also supports the creation of a lifestyle and future I envisioned for myself, family and, community.   and to align with like minded people that hold similar values and visions for their life.

This past summer I was asked to be a part of a podcast called, 'Out of the Blocks, an immersive listening experience built from a mosaic of voices and soundscapes on the streets of Baltimore. '  This podcast has expanded from Baltimore to other African American neighborhoods and landed in West Oakland's Lower Bottoms neighborhood.   Out Of  The Blocks states, 'West Oakland’s Lower Bottoms neighborhood is home to the historical headquarters of the Black Panther Party. It’s also one train stop away from San Francisco, and escalating real-estate prices are quickly changing the character of the neighborhood.  This episode, we meet locals who find themselves living at the intersection of heritage and gentrification.

My heritage is of the black farmer.  My great grandparents owned 99 acres of land in central Texas.  This property was passed on to my grandfather and it was the land where my mother was born.  On this land my grandfather had fruit and nut trees, produce, livestock, a pond where they fished as well as a gravel pit whose contents helped pave the roads in McClendon county Texas.  It was a thriving business until a power company, Texas Power and Light forced my grandparents to sell their land a livelihood for meager sum.  So they packed up and moved to central California, San Luis Obispo where my grandpa's sister lived and owned a small restaurant.  My grandfather continued to be a business owner and self determined man and soon opened a grocery store called Tiny Mart on the corner of High Street and Carmel.  Below is a photo shot in 1970 of my grandfather Frank Bell inside Tiny Mart handing my sister a piece of candy.  Next to the picture is what the building looks like today.

My grandfather owned Tiny Mart for close to two decades.  My mother followed in her fathers footsteps as a gardener and entrepreneur who owner Neighborhood Wash & Dry in East Oakland.  I continued the legacy of my self determined ancestors by being a property owner, business owner of B-Love's Guest House, and having a thriving garden in the sacred space I created for myself and loved ones.  The principal of Kujichaglia is one of the core values I apply in my life and has helped me to live the life I have envisioned and defined for myself, family, and community.

So, tending to my mother's garden became a regular thing and my brother and I even convinced her to let us grow a weed plant among her veggies and flowers.  Unfortunately, that was short lived when my aunts came to visit and they convinced my mother that allowing her children to grow dope in her yard was a bad idea.

Yes, marijuana was considered to be dope.  Even classified in the united States as a schedule one drug that is equally as harmful as heroine!  This is nonsense!!!  A complete lie! Now, in 2019 things are shifting to see the multiple health benefit of this plant.

I've been enjoying the health benefits of drinking fresh pressed juice for many years. Investing in a juicer has been one of the best investments I've made for my well being.  Exploring the different flavor and combinations of fruit and veggies in my juices has been a lot of fun.  When I heard the juicing the fan leaves of the marijauna plant was possible I was eager to try it. The first thing I noticed was the deep green color of the juiced leaves were a beautiful dark green like wheat grass juice and that color made me excited.  Next was the taste.  It was sweet and a much better flavor than wheat grass juice and I was thrilled! From there I explored different combnations of fruits and settled on apples and ginger to be a delightful pairing with the cannabis leaves.  I added a few more fruits and the recipe for Radiant Bliss was born!

Honey, let me tell you about the goodness of this divine elixar!
Numero uno: It taste YUMMY!
Number two: The health benefits are vast! As with any dark green leafy vegetable it is rich in iron, calcium, fiber, manganese, and vitamins A, K, B, phytochemicals, and antioxidants. It also contains cannabinoids that support cellular regeneration which in large does has halted or reversed certain cancers. 
Number 3: I harvest, press, and sale the juice once a week on Wednesdays. This adds to the health benefits as the enzymes are fresh and still present.  This fresh pressed, nutrient dense fruit and cannabis juice consumed the same day is easy to digest and the nutrition is easily absorbed into the body.

Last year when I called Norma on her 98th birthday the ring tone was odd, followed by a message in Italian that seemed to say, 'the person you have called...'.    I left a a birthday greeting when I heard the beep.  I picked up a few items she had sent me in the mail;  a Christmas card with a colorful drawing of Norma steering a gondola in a Christmas hat, and, her latest CD; A Swinin' Love Fest recorded with The Billy Bros. Swing Orchestra also of Italy.  I smiled thinking about this unique lady and the incredible life she lives. Later when I talked to her she tells me she lives in Italy a few month out of the year and that she wanted to have a 100th birthday party there called, 'Goin' Out Swingin'.  I screamed with laughter and told her, 'hell yeah, I'll be there'!

Today, December 2, 2019 is Norma Millers 99th birthday and I along with countless people world wide honor and celebrate her. On Instagram Toni Basil posted photos of Norma's birthday celebration  at the Pasadena Ballroom last night.  Chester Whitmore was there along with a huge jazz orchestra. And that's how my  friend rolls. From city to city, world wide, with the most incredible artist around. 

Happy Birthday Norma!!!

I'm grateful for your gifts you share with the world.  I'm grateful for your wisdom, your laughter, your friendship, and for trusting me as an event producer.  There's so much more I want to share so I'll add more to this blog but for now, it's a celebration for the
Queen of Swing!!!

dance for love
for truth
I dance
tapping in to the divine
I
dance
my
heart
out
passion and power is revealed through the rhythm of my feet
the arc of my back as I stretch to the heavens
use me
I get it
cue music
go