Something to Hold On To

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of hosting the Literary Salon for the National Black Arts Festival. I started off the morning with a workshop on "Words and Pictures" A Cinematic Marriage with filmmaker Jonee' Ansa and his wife novelist Tina McElroy Ansa and then I finished off the evening with a tribute to E. Lynn Harris, author of Invisible Life in addition to ten other novels. So needless to say...I had a stellar day!

Through the National Black Arts Festival, I have had the opportunity to meet many people that I admire but I have been blessed to have found a friend in Tina McElroy Ansa and when I learned of E. Lynn's passing I thought of no other person to help me pull together a tribute.

I wish I could place into words the experience that was had by all that attended the event. But even if I could, I feel as if I would be violating a sacred place and time designated for his friends that loved and morned him together. But for those of us simply that adored his books, there was an intimate space that we were humbled at the opportunity to enter.

One of the key things that I pulled out of the whole affair was the consistent message that E. Lynn Harris, outside of being a gay black man...was indeed a hu-man above all things. He laughed, loved, hurt as we all do. But the thing that stuck with me the most is that he was giving without conviction. To his friends, fans and all that had the pleasure of meeting him. His nakedness as a writer allowed us to dream, to be and to stretch ourselves in ways that we never imagined. As I listened intently, I thought to myself, what a legacy. What an example of absolute humanness to encourage us all to live in this world. Despite of the everyday madness of life, our fears and our pain, we have been given the courage to own the right to be whoever and whatever you are and at the end of the day, when the lights are low and the only breath that you have is your own, you can sleep without worry because you to have something to hold on to. YOU...

I challenge you to consider your legacy. What stain will you leave on the world after you have long left this place? Weigh in with your comments, I can't wait to hear from you.

Holding on,

Miss Know It All

Something to Hold On To

The National Black Arts Festival Gala A Sure Hit!

I have to say, things are shaping up at the National Black Arts Festival. We are half way through the 20th Anniversary celebration and it has been a blast. On July 19th NBAF held their annual gala in the Weiland Pavilion on the High Arts Museum campus and in one word I can sum it up for you...FAB! The event was produced by Atlanta's very own Judy Hanenkrat. The decor was perfectly platinum, the band was awesome, both the live and silent auctions were promising and the list of attendees was stellar...we had Lynne Whitfield, Dr. Cornell West, Wynton Marsalis, Samual L. Jackson and LaTanya Richardson Jackson, Anna Maria Horsford, Andrew Young, Mayor Shirley Franklin, artist Carrie Mae Weems and more...


Dr. Cornell West was the highlight of my evening as we danced quite a bit and talked even more. What a treat! Let's hope those pictures don't surface anytime soon! But I must say, the man know his P-Funk when he hears it and I will leave it at that!

Next in line is the opening of NBAF at the Georgia World Congress Center and Centennial Park. HUGE!

Miss Know It All

by the way... that fab photo of Dr. Cornell West, Lynne Whitfield and Sam L. Jackson is by my bud...Moses Robinson!

The National Black Arts Festival Gala A Sure Hit!

THE National Black Arts Festival

It's Festival time and it is apparent in the faces of all of my co-workers and my family. As we put the final touches on things, I feel excited and quite privileged to be apart of such an important institution and to come in contact (on a regular bases) with such a wonderful group of people.


Okay, now that I'm finished with my shameless plug and I can really tell you what's causing a buzz...

1. We have so many great events to attend

2. I don't know what to wear

3. I have no time to get my hair done

4. My daughters 10th birthday is during the festival and there is NO way to take off!

5. Did I mention that I have nothing to wear!

I will try to check in periodically to give you the latest festival updates. Stay tuned, I'm sure there will be stories that you don't want to miss.

Miss Know It All

THE National Black Arts Festival

It's National Black Arts Festival Time!

July 18th-27th marks the 20th Anniversary for the National Black Arts Festival! As an employee of this fine institution I must say that things are VERY busy to say the least. With the move to our new location (Promenade II, Atlanta, GA) and the preparation for artists such as the wonderful Gladys Knight performing for our Living Legends Celebration and Atlanta Symphony Orchestra who is performing with THE Wynton Marsalis! We can barely contain ourselves from all of the excitement that this is causing. The love and thought that is put into this festival by all involved is amazing.

For you literary buffs we have the Atlanta Dialogues/Creatively Speaking series featuring Dr. Cornel West, Wynton Marsalis and visual artist Carrie Mae Weems (a MUST see by the way...at this years festival if I may) also participating in this year's series is Alice Walker and Judith Jamison chatting it up with Pearl Cleage.

There is embrace, the fine arts fair of the National Black Arts Festival held at Mason Murer Fine Art, the Children's Village, theater events, the Pan African Film Festival and more.

Executive Director, Stephanie Hughley always tells her staff that, "it's not about the work that we do (although it's important) but it's more about the people and the relationships that we make with the people." The connection that we provide with the community at large and the arts in its many forms by people of color from all over the world.

I hope that you will join us as we celebrate 20 years of art and culture, it is sure to be an event to remember!

Miss Know It All

It's National Black Arts Festival Time!