Lush & Lyrics was put on at Chatman's D'Vine Bakery and Cafe Monday night. Melody and I had a chance to see and talk to some fine lyricists. Subjects of all forms were covered. I myself dug the rhymes of those that were speaking of issues considering the government, bondage in the form of oppression and also the ever so powerful words of empowerment. 

MC Solsis graced the spot. Candace IIoh performed and many beautifully dressed people filled the brink of the place. Howard University students seemed to overwhelm the population, shout here and there but goodness world for all the educated souls that are being produced.

Only snagged a few photos.

This weekend in Philly was amazing though! I had a chance to hit NJ first to see my cousin Jana and her beautiful family. I had a chance to talk and catch up with them, then Saturday I hit the city. 

Loew's Hotel was the location, attending DC black pride workshops was the mission. 
(Unfortunately I left my camera sitting in my car in Camden, NJ @ the PATCO station. Boo!)

BUT::Attending dialogues on both labels and stereotypes and a Transexual/Transgender workshops, I learned and also expressed some views myself. The workshops were well put together, bringing facilitators from NY for the labels discussion and local Philadelphia LGBTQ awareness orgs. 

Monica, good friend all the way from Oklahoma who now lives in philly hosted me. We met some lovely women and men alike. I also met her roommate who is a brilliant Photographer, world traveler and Howard Grad. Check Akoben Sankofa's work! 

My travels were safe and blessed, that is all I can ask for.

                                  Vote for Our Pepsi Refresh Project! 

Through the help of friends and good old fashion networking we have been able to begin a new relationship with an organization in DC called Mentoring Works 2, Inc.

Good News:: The DC mural location will be in the Howard neighborhood area of Georgia ave. Thanks to the beautiful people that support this project. 


What do we need the wall for? 
UTP will be launching it's Grounded Visions Project this summer. It is a 6 week mural project where youth will have the ability to come up with a collaborative design and then be able to see their beautiful artwork displayed on the side of a building as a mural in the Howard University area!


Grounded Visions Mural Project (July 10- Aug.?)Applications will be available soon!! 
Youth ages 12-18. (Some older still may be able to apply)

They are a non-profit, 501(c)3, established in 2006. Dedicated to transforming at risk youth and implementing a positive and purposeful message to city youth, MW2 will be working with us to help create our mural project. We are doing this for the betterment of the community, to keep youth focused, productive and off the streets this summer. 
                Pictures of Mentoring Works 2, Inc.  

::Courtney Stewart runs the program and he's a personable gentleman who sees a future for our young people. 

We welcome the new relationship! 

Dawn J. 
Exposing supporters!  


Pictures of the mural site up soon! 

Sunday, April 18th, we set aside time to play some good ol' games. Now we know in the present times, slowing down enough to drink the suggested amount of water per day is hard. So I know happy hours and maybe even church affords a better afternoon than playing Masterpiece the one of a kind, out of print, art bidding game. 


Well those who showed up can surely tell you, you missed out. We set up shop @ Dekka art. music. fashion store and had a ball bidding for art pieces worth no less than $1.5 million. That's right we were balling out of control. 


More events to come! May the love of positivity & art stay alive! 


Dawn J. 

The new season has ushered in bothersome allergies for me. The unpredictable temperature changes have proven to be detrimental to my health too. Despite the obvious obstacles, I rushed out to see Alice Walker speak at busboys and poets today. I was met with a long line that spanned down the sidewalk. For a brief moment I was frightened I wouldn't get in but at the last moment the owner allowed a hand full of people to come in, I was apart of that hand full. yay!

So let's just say I admire Alice Walker's candid calmness and wisdom. The smooth soft tone that she speaks of injustice in, almost allows you to feel like it is said on a daily, proud basis. It definitely isn't but she neglects to allow her knowledge to overcome her tone and presence. She spoke of traveling, encountering racism, witnessing acts that have allowed her to take on new campaigns. The importance of surrounding yourself with circles of friends that are healthy and allowing yourself to merge into other circles was stressed by her as well. South Africa, Rwanda to Gaza, from genocide, child trafficking to race relations; all spoken about with such delicacy. 

Let us speak out and not leave our mouths shut. Silence will get us nowhere she proclaimed; thus the premise of her new book "Overcoming Speechlessness." 

Babies in pretty pastel suits and dresses filtered the sidewalks two weeks ago. That's right Easter came and went so fast. Now I didn't dress up, I wore pastel but cut off jeans and beat up shoes did me just fine. 

The Awakening Spiritual community embraced me with open arms, even waited for me as I made it in from being lost. DC roads always get me turned around. 

I was a bit nervous because Rev. Erika asked me to read poetry. I actually tried to memorize the poem but if you were there you saw that didn't really happen. ;) But I read a poem on religion, at least my interpretation of how I feel and how I fit into it. I tend to look more at the spiritual side. The poem expressed my distaste with religious acts and tendencies. After my poetry reading; a good word from Rev. Erika, brilliant music from the minister of sounds Village Child and good. good. potluck food to round off the festivities. 

*The message consisted of focusing on your path and knowing that truly any and everything that has happened in your life has supposed to happen, divine reasoning if you will. If we center ourselves and/or gravitate toward positivity, positivity will be produced. 

Rev. Erika, I totally dug the message. It's so true!

Snippet of poem: 
I say amen before I begin to pray
Screw the order, sorta like screw religion
Yup that's my decision
Like the physical train on tracks it has no vision, only on a mission for destination
So don't be devastated if there is a mistake or someone decides to take
That your suffrage from following blindly
Question silently and refuse to say no to parent implanted roots
Judge not till ya glide a sky in my boots
It's not what best suits or for those who stoop to follow nor swallow the words with no consciousness (cont.)

The amazing events/opportunities DC has to offer somewhat persuades me to think otherwise great thoughts about the place. It brings great people into this crevice of a district. I've heard a few people tell me their theory on why DC IS NOT considered a melting pot. Not even why "it shouldn't be" considered a melting pot. Ask and I might venture into telling you. :) (FYI: still observing and developing my own theory)


Ok. without further a due, I witnessed Stacyann Chin read her poem about getting her first period. Definitely a woman liberation, respect me Man as part creator of your being poem. I love it every time I hear it. So, I was late. :_ I had to attend a volunteer meeting for DC black pride, I learned much info but it lagged on and I didn't leave till late. BOO!


I dig her being. She was nice. I was nice. I smiled. We smile. She smiled. Held hands. Not really but close to it. I gave her a UTP sticker. She briefed me on sending her the video I took. I totally dug. Thus why I skipped and danced in the rain. Not because of her but because all the wonderful people in the world, making change, being examples, being free. It makes me teary. awz. 


Dawn J. 
digging holes wherever I go, exposing dem' roots! 

The Albus Cavus classroom is open every Sunday from 2pm to 4pm on Capitol Hill. To sign up, contact GLO @ glo@thefridgedc.com. Visit www.albuscav.us!

4-april::Tape Sculpture
The Fridge $30
11-april::Plush Sculpture and Toys
The Fridge $25
18-april::Burn that Art!
The Freezer $30
25-april::Aerosol Art
The Fridge $30
2-may::Colorful Street
The Fridge $30
9-may::Small Wall-Big Imagination
The Fridge $30
16-may::Small Wall-Big Imagination
The Freezer $30
23-may::Small Wall-Big Imagination
The Fridge $30
30-may::Project Documentary 
The Fridge $25


The Fridge-516 8th ST. SE. (rear alley)
The Freezer-520 F St. Terrace SE (btw G and E st. SE)
Take four classes fifth one free!
Scholarships are available