The San Francisco Tenderloin Black Radical Book Fair Featuring Akbar Muhammad, Marvin X, and Amiri Baraka

Al-Jazeerah Info Center needs your support

to continue providing you with this free service

Send donations by check to: Al-Jazeerah Info Center, P.O. Box 724, Dalton, GA 30722-0724, USA.

or through PayPal, using credit cards or bank transfers

AKBAR MUHAMMAD ACCEPTS INVITATION TO BLACK RADICAL BOOK FAIR

Akbar Muhammad
Lecturer, Historian, World Traveler, Businessman and Foreign Diplomat (Nation of Islam)
Mr. Muhammad was born in Hampton, Virginia and raised in New York City. His formative years were spent as a student under the leadership of Minister Malcolm X at the New York Mosque of the Nation of Islam. From 1965 - 1975, he was the top assistant of then New York Minister, Louis Farrakhan. In 1974, he was one of the primary organizers of "Black Family Day" held on Randall's Island in New York City. This event drew some 70,000 people. Upon the departure of Nation of Islam leader, The Honorable Elijah Muhammad, Akbar Muhammad was then transferred to St. Louis under the leadership of Imam Warith D. Muhammad.
In 1976, he was again transferred to Chicago as special assistant to Imam Muhammad. Within the same year, he made his first trip to Europe, Africa and Asia. A year later, he resigned from his position and went into business for himself in St. Louis. From 1977 - 1982, Akbar Muhammad not only worked in the private sector in St. Louis, but he assisted Minister Louis Farrakhan in rebuilding the Nation of Islam. In 1982, he returned to Chicago to work closely with Minister Louis Farrakhan providing ministerial and administrative assistance. His assistance involved helping Minister Farrakhan during his participation in Jesse Jackson's first campaign run for president. He helped to produce Minister Farrakhan's book, "7 Speeches," published in 1973 and was responsible for producing four albums by Minister Farrakhan titled, Black Family Day, Our Time Has Come, Let Us Unite with Rev. Jesse Jackson and Heed the Call.

Among his numerous contributions, he has been one of the key organizers for many of the Nation of Islam's Saviours' Day Celebrations. In October 1994, he organized the Nation of Islam's first international Saviours' Day Convention on the African continent bringing over 1900 travelers from America, nearly 95 percent traveling to Africa for the first time. In addition, Akbar was a key organizer and participant in all of Minister Louis Farrakhan's international tours, which included travel to Africa, the Middle East and a total of 36 countries around the world. He described the tours as "one of the most historical trips of any Black leader in the history of the United States. He also was a key organizer and participant in his most recent 2002 Peace Mission Tour."
He is currently the International Representative for the Nation of Islam with offices and residences in Accra, Ghana and the United States. He has an abundance of life experience to draw upon which results from living and working in Africa. For the past 26 years, Akbar Muhammad has traveled extensively around the world, mainly in North, West and South Africa. He lectures to civic organizations, students and business leaders about the advantages of doing business and traveling in Africa and the Caribbean. In fulfilling his duties as International Representative traveling and speaking on behalf of the Nation of Islam, Akbar has traveled around the world four times. Akbar has helped to organize and establish the Nation of Islam's first office on the continent of Africa in Accra, Ghana, the Ghana Mission.

During his eleven years of living and working in Africa, Akbar has welcomed some 29 delegations from the United States to his home in Tesano, Ghana. Besides the various delegations, he hosted receptions for people in the entertainment world such as, Dionne Warwick, Isaac Hayes, Mtume, Jermaine Jackson, Kenny Gamble, Bobbi Humphrey and the rap group Public Enemy; Rahbee Ben Ammi; Author Dr. Jawanzaa Kunjufu; talk show host Bob Law; a team of surgeons headed by Dr. Etienne Messac of Washington, D.C. and Bill Cherry, Senior Marketing Consultant from North Carolina.
Muhammad's extensive work and travel in Africa are reflected in his column, "Africa and The World." The column is featured weekly in more than 100 African-American Newspapers nationally and is also featured in several newspapers internationally. Also, Akbar is currently the owner of Adventure in Africa Tours, a company specializing in cultural tours of Africa.

Muhammad has been regarded as one of the most knowledgeable individuals on the life and works of Minister Farrakhan. Since he has been a top aide to Minister Louis Farrakhan from 1965 to present, giving more than 37 years of dedicated service and advice, he has a wealth of information and history to contribute. He is currently working on the Minister Farrakhan's biography and a book on the history of the Nation of Islam from 1930-1985. Both books are scheduled to be released in the year 2004 -2005.

Marvin X

The San Francisco Tenderloin Book Fair
and University of Poetry

January30-31,2004
Celebrating the Black Arts Movement
at Recovery Theatre @ Theatre St. Boniface
133 Golden Gate Ave., San Francisco
between Leavenworth and Jones

Amiri Baraka

Purpose

Recovery Theatre and Black Bird Press are proud to host the San Francisco Tenderloin Book Fair and University of Poetry, 2004, celebrating the radical black arts movement, the most significant literary movement in African American history. But as we celebrate, we face the sober reality of a crisis in our community and the world. Author Sam Anderson tells us, "Never before in the history of African humanity has there been such a huge disconnect between revolutionary consciousness and our youth. This book fair should help face this crisis head on."

Indeed, if we look from Africa to America, we see youth in either reactionary drug gangs or diamond seeking child armies, with the ultimate beneficiary American and/or European imperialism, African middle men serve as traditional colonial servants and running dogs, from Charles Taylor to Colin Powell, Lord have mercy!

As revolutionaries, we must ask ourselves why the diamond merchant and the dope dealer is the number one employer of our youth? In the final analysis, we must give youth a viable economic alternative to the drug culture, pimping life and employment as murderous child soldiers. As elders, we must teach alternatives to street and domestic violence, and we must teach by example.

We will address critical issues of this nature in a series of presentations, panels, workshops and spoken word performances, hopefully igniting the final stage of our cultural revolution, exposing and resolving contradictions that have derailed our recovery and liberation. "By cultural revolution we mean to raise the level of the people's education, eliminate illiteracy, and narrow mindedness," says Amiri Baraka.

One of the founders of the Black Arts Movement (BAM), Baraka will facilitate a workshop for radical writers sincere about going beyond rhetoric. "Projects for Radical Writers Workshop will discuss how writers can unite, inspire, educate, mobilize, organize the great majority of all nationalities to become part of a mass force needed to oppose the current fascist trend in America; this workshop will discuss how to create, publish, produce and distribute writings for the cultural revolution."

>From the Black Arts Movement to Hip Hop is a panel discussion designed to address generational problems in African American culture. Poet Askia M. Toure cries, "Most of the hip hop generation has lost its national consciousness, in its rush to assimilate materialism, bling bling, capitalism and misogyny. With the exception of Common, India Iree, Jill Scott, Dead Prez and a few others, most hip hop leaders don't appear to see that Africans in America have a cultural tradition and a legacy to defend. How did we go from 60s Black Queens and sista freedom fighters to skeezers, chicken-heads, bitches and hos? Why don't hip hop people seek out black revolutionaries?"

Amina Baraka answers Toure, "How can the hip hop generation learn from our mistakes if we are still making them?" And poetess Sonia Sanchez notes, "We cannot condemn the hip hop generation for doing on stage what the Black Arts Movement was doing behind closed doors."

Without a doubt, this panel will be hot and spirited, especially with the participation of the legendary Fillmore Slim. "My message is the same to all youth, male and female. Think about the consequences. There's a price. Are you willing to pay the price for being in the game. If you're willing to pay the price, what can I say to you? I paid my dues, I went to prison. I'm not proud of what I did, so I tell people to think about the consequences of your actions, think about how you end up in the game."

The Tenderloin Book Fair will expose people to writers not seen in the commercial media and market place, especially self published authors. We want Tenderloin residents and others to meet these authors who may offer an alternative to a lifestyle of drugs, crime and homelessness. After all, great literature is known to originate from such oppressed conditions, once the oppressed persons regain sobriety, sanity and radical consciousness. My play ONE DAY IN THE LIFE based on my days as a drug addict in the Tenderloin has become a recovery classic. If I changed my self-destructive behavior to creativity, so can you.

Marvin X
Book Fair Producer,
Recovery Theatre Director
_______________________________________________________________________

REGISTRATION

Book fair is free, but Registration is $20.00 for admission to the University of Poetry, including the Rewards dinner, workshops, panels and concerts ( both nights). Seating is limited, pre-registration advised. Tickets available at Reggae Runnins, 505 Divasadero, SF, Da Corner, 3rd and LaSalle, Hunters Point, Da Corner, Fillmore and Hayes, San Francisco, Aquarius Rising, 60th and Telegraph, Oakland.

Or send check to Recovery Theatre, 133 Golden Gate Ave., San Francisco, 94102. Vendors call Leona Lee at 415-986-8186. For More information call Marvin X @ 510-798-9155 or Geoffrey Grier at 415-241-6506. Special thanks to Joe Halaiko of Theatre St. Boniface.

AUTHORS AND PARTICIPANTS

Dr. Julia Hare, How To Find A BMW (Black Man Working)
The wit and wisdom of this Queen Bee is nationally known. She stole the show at Marvin X's Kings and Queens of Black Consciousness Concert.

Dr. Nathan Hare, Black Anglo-Saxons
Father of Black Studies, sociologist and clinical psychologist, facilitates Recovery Theatre's mental health group session called Black Reconstruction.

Sonia Sanchez, Shake Loose My Skin
Poet, playwright, professor, undisputed queen of the Black Arts Movement.

Amiri Baraka (LeRoi Jones), Somebody Blew Up America
Poet, playwright, essayist, activist, godfather of the Black Arts Movement, pioneer of modern American literature.

Amina Baraka, poet, singer, dancer, cofounder of Spirit House.

Ishmael Reed, Another Day At the Front
Poet, playwright, essayist, novelist, publisher, MacArthur genius award winner.

Fillmore Slim, subject of legend and a movie Gospel of the Game. His day job is singing and playing the blues throughout the world.

Reginald Lockett, The Party Crashers of Paradise
Poet, professor. One of the original members of the West Coast black arts movement. Performed at Black House, San Francisco.

Devorah Major, An Open Weave
Poet, novelist, first African American poet laureate of San Francisco.

James Robinson, Gospel of the Game
Played the game and lived to tell the consequences in his novel Gospel of the Game.

Askia Toure, Dawnsong
Poet, essayist, activist, one of the godfather's of the Black Arts Movement.

Marvin X, In the Crazy House Called America
Poet, playwright, essayist, activist, producer of Tenderloin Book Fair and University of Poetry. One of the founders of the BAM.

Opal Palmer Adisa, It Begins With Tears
Poet, professor, photographer. Opal and Devorah Major comprise the Daughters of Yam.

Jamie Walker, 101 Ways Black Women Can Learn To Love
poet, author, journalist, editor of Sonia Sanchez Anthology

Andriette Earl, Embracing Wholeness
Spiritual practitioner at the East Bay Church of Religious Science. She is a coach, speaker and facilitator.

Dingane (Joe Goncalves), founder of the Journal of Black Poetry, bible of the 60s radical poetry.

Luisa Teish, Carnival of the Spirit
Yoruba priestess, healer and spiritual worker.

Roxanne Ware, conscious hip hop poet. Her poem "Federal Offense" should be national anthem of the prison movement.

David Hilliard, This Side of Glory
Black Panther Party chief of staff, facilitates the Huey P. Newton Foundation.

Destiny, harpist from the hood, with a voice from heaven.

Elliott Bey, keyboard master, director of Recovery Theatre East, Philadelphia.

Tarika Lewis
Violinist, first female member of the Black Panther Party. Performs with John Handy and Destiny's band of Angels.

Al Young, Drowning In the Sea of Love
Poet, novelist, one of the members of the West Coast Black Arts Movement.

Lonnie Dewitt, In the Car

His book addresses issues affecting the California Department of Corrections and other agencies.

Ayodele Nzinga, Walden House Suite
Actress, director, poet, associate director of Recovery Theatre.

Everett Hoagland, Here: New and Selected Poems
Teaches at UMASS, Dartmouth. This volume offers thirty years of his best published poems plus new work.

Dr. Kwasi Harris, Readings in Black Political Economy
Dr. Harris is professor in political science at San Jose State University.

Spencer Moon, Reel Black Talk
Spencer's book discusses blacks in the movie industry.

Sam Hamod, Islam in the World Today
Sam is an internationally known poet and scholar on Islam.

Rudolph Lewis, founder of NathanielTurner.Com
One of best websites on the Internet for Black literature.

Sam Anderson, Black Holocaust for Beginners
Founding member of the Black Panther Party in New York, Sam co-edited the award winning anthology In Defense of Mumia.

Charlie Walker, America Is Still the Place
"In January I was broke. In February I made five million dollars." Charlie tells us how to do for self and be free.

Kalamu Ya Salaam, The Magic of Juju
Kalamu is one of the founders of Black Arts South.

Tacuma King, Master drummer, multi-instrumentalist, member of Destiny's band of Angels.

Davey D, legend of hip hop culture, DJ and MC. Listen to him on Hard Knock radio, KPFA Berkeley.

Greg Bridges, host of spoken word at Oakland's Jahva House, DJ on KPFA and KCSM radio.

Suzzette Celeste, MSW, MPA, chair, Recovery Theatre, dancer, practitioner at East Bay Church of Religious Science.

Geoffrey Grier, associate director Recovery Theatre San Francisco, actor, Treatment on Demand Council.

Dr. Salat Townsend, actor, associate director Recovery Theatre Sacramento.

Raynetta Rayzetta, dancer, chief choreographer of Marvin X's poetry.

Keith Crawford, promoter, associate of Recovery Theatre.

Leah Thomas, writer, Mentor Project, planning advisor to Marvin X.

Ptah Allah-El (Tracy Mitchell), writer, Journal of Black Studies at San Francisco State University. Videographer for Recovery Theatre, filmed video version of One Day In the Life, coordinator of filming for the video Kings and Queens of Black Consciousness by Marvin X.

Duncan Barber (Rafiq), cofounder of Black Arts West Theatre, SF

Hillary Broadus (Abdullah), cofounder of Black Arts West Theatre, SF

Emory Douglas, Black Panther Minister of Culture. Emory was part of the Black Arts Movement (came to Black House) and still is today.