Upcoming Events

Upcoming Conscious Events

Bringing Conscious Back 

is a grassroots movement of artists that collaborate with their talents of spoken word, film & music to inspire communities to have open dialogue for social change.  We invite non-profit organizations every month to bring awareness to issues rarely heard in the media.  Non-Profit please contact filmstressfilmz@gmail.com to speak at our 

future engagements.

February 25th, 2015

5- 7 P.M.

Phillis Wheatley Library

33 Dr. Samuel McCree Way

Rochester, NY 14608

Free film screening, music, spoken word 

and community discussion.

February 28, 2015

6-8 P.M.

The Shrine

2271 Adam Clayton Powell Blvd.

New York, NY 10031

Free film screening, music, spoken word 

and community discussion.

March 25, 2015

5- 7 P.M.

Phillis Wheatley Library

33 Dr. Samuel McCree Way

Rochester, NY 14608

Free film screening, music, spoken word 

and community discussion.

National Poetry Month

Erin Johnson

"Dune Pledge"

excerpt

March 28, 2015

6-8 P.M.

The Shrine

2271 Adam Clayton Powell Blvd.

New York, NY 10031

Free film screening, music, spoken word 

and community discussion.

April 22, 2015

5- 7 P.M.

Phillis Wheatley Library

Journalist,
 Arthur Ryan Brooks

33 Dr. Samuel McCree Way

Rochester, NY 14608

Free film screening, music, spoken word 

and community discussion.

April 25th, 2015

The Shrine

6-8 P.M.

2271 Adam Clayton Powell Blvd.

New York, NY 10031

Free film screening, music, spoken word 

and community discussion.

Sponsored by Filmstress Filmz

Somebody Wake My Brother Up

So today I had a poetry workshop at the jail 

and read from my friend and mentor

Abiodun Oyewole book

Branches of the Tree of Life

The inmates enjoyed a few of the poems I selected.  As I was reading Dune pointed out Black Wall Street in one of his poems and one of the bruthas was curious to find out the name of the book so he can read it.  I am always happy to hear when individuals are excited about learning something new.  Dune has so much embodied in one poem that the inmates had to take time to digest what I read.  We had a good poetry session today hopefully we can get some donations before the holiday so I can print out some poems for them to read.  I go every week and need help with gas and printing so if your able please feel free to donate online.

Poems I read today:

The Cycle

For The Millions

A Picture

Party and Bullshit

When the Revolution Comes

Rain of Terror

*One of the inmates read his poem here it is below*

"Somebody Wake My Brother Up"

By Mike Holloman

"Somebody wake my brother up"

They tried but he just wouldn't go to school

Uneducated with no job, no skills, he played his self like a fool

"Somebody wake my brother up"

See you man sagging on the block with the crew, you told me you were a leader not a follower

Now you on the block with your pants down too.

"Somebody wake my brother up"

Cause you got a little cash in your pocket just like you wished it...

But you got it by pushin, posing on your own people...

Man have you got life twisted.

"Somebody wake my brother up"

Sitting on 20's, carrying quarter pound of weed, ain't seen baby momma, done forgot about your seed.

"Somebody wake my brother up"

Gold all in your mouth,  chains hanging like an Egyptian Pharoah, come time to help another brother out, you got the mentality of that crab in the barrell.

"Somebody wake my brother up"

They told you it was all love, But you've been hoodwinked, flimflamed & bamboozled now your in the county, crushing cheese crackers over a dry ass ramen noodle.

"Somebody wake my brother up"

Gloomy Sunday morning and we've seen these days many to often.. Ma Dukes and baby moms got their head down crying...Cause your ass lying in a coffin.

"Now nobody can wake that brother up"

We had a good day our group and look forward to building more with the woman in lock up when I return in two weeks.  If you have any inspiring poems or suggestions you would like to donate for me to read feel free to email me.

Nicholle La Vann

Blessingz...

Bringing Conscious Back for 2014...

We are super excited we have great goals for this year and we are on our way to a great start. Our movement started this year on May 19th,  Malcolm X's birthday.  It happens to be the same day the "Last Poets" were born.  Started with three of us, at the end of the day folks excused themselves and I kept on pushing what I believed in which was to bring art to communities by using art, spoken word and media.  I came out of my pocket for dinners, transportation and food for the events just to make each event special along the way.  I can't help to say I felt frustrated because with all I was doing folks just wanted to get paid then to see the  movement succeed.

I now know that this movement will have to be taught to our youth so that they can carry the torch. Sometimes when we work with adults there are to many egos or agendas in the way.  Though I still look up to the creator for guidance that the right individuals will come on board this journey with the rest of us that stayed on board. So I started at home and grabbed my own children and the kids I mentor.

Our first event we had spoken word, a performance by IMPACT Repetory, a discussion on how Malcolm effected our lives with Jamal Joseph, Abiodun Oyewole and myself.   The Shabazz Center allowed me to show my trailer "Living Legendz" which featured both men and Dr. Leonard Jeffries.  Because we collaborated made the flyers and organized our talent, the executive director Mark agreed there was no overhead.  Most of you are aware to have any type of function in NYC there is great price to pay when it comes to a venue. I went to folks I knew and to the public library asking for space to keep inspiring communities. Monique (manager) from Nicholas Brooklyn offered space but I had to charge so I could pay for the space. 

Still looking for venues a Harlem writer, Marc Polite invited me to an event at the Countee Cullen Library to be a speaker at his event.   While I was at the Countee Cullen I spoke with an employee and they guided me on how to rent a room at the library. Since then I have had events at the Countee Cullen Library. 

The rest of the year we had events in Manhattan, Brooklyn and Rochester, New York.   We have made our events free though we do ask for donations so we can keep doing what we do which is inspiring communities.  

BCB Musician
Matthew Corey

BCB Spoken Word Poet
Shana King

Our last events for the year have been inspiring and motivating. We rapped up our last event for the year at the M.K. Gandhi Institute for NonViolence where youth came out to support and watch a free film. 

It was snowing like crazy and bitter cold but we packed the room at the Gandhi Institute.  The Gandhi Institute was awesome they had refreshments and allowed us time to discuss the films we watched.  My intern Shamar asked me to play 110 Morningside,  I did and the youth loved it. 

Bringing Conscious Back Youtube Channel

click on link to view our channel

We also released four episodes on youtube that highlight the positive actions of what folks in the community are doing to make it better.  So much negative everyday we rarely hear about the good in the world, that is what prompted us to make a channel and dedicate it to positive energy.

We are looking forward to a great New Year and the opportunities are limitless.

Upcoming Engagements

Saturday

January 11, 2014

3-5 P.M.

Countee Cullen Library

FREE TICKET

Tuesday

January 14, 2014

6-9 P.M.

THE SHRINE

FREE TICKET

Saturday

February 22, 2014

3-5 P.M.

Phillis Wheatley Library

FREE TICKET

If you can't make any of our events please feel free to support us via internet and make a conscious donation here. Thank you for your support.

Upcoming Events for BCB

We are so pleased by our new sponsor in Harlem.

Akil Rose with the Harlem Transformation Project has agreed to be our Harlem Sponsor.

It is our goal to do this around the country and then globally.  The New York Public Library system has also been sponsoring us special thanks to Victor Simmons at the Countee Cullen Library for allowing us to educate and inspire audiences in the Harlem community.

Our Holiday 

EVENT SCHEDULE

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2013 5:30-6:30 P.M.

Phillis Wheatley Library

33 Dr. Samuel McCree Way

Rochester, NY 14608

Free Film Screening of 

"110 Morningside"

special performances by

Shana King

Matthew Corey

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2013 7:00- 9:00 P.M.

Gandhi Institute for Nonviolence

929 S. Plymouth Ave.

Rochester, NY 14608

Free Film Screening of 

"Millennium Slave"

special performances TBA

SATURDAY, JANUARY 11, 2014 3:00-5:00 P.M.

Countee Cullen Library

104 W. 136th Street

New York, NY 10030

Free Film Screening of 

"25 Years 2 Freedom" 

The Betty Tyson Story

TUESDAY, JANUARY 14, 2014 6:00 - 10:00 P.M.

 Shrine World Music Venue

2271 Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd

New York, NY 10030

Free Film Screening of 

"Living Legendz"

Special Performance by

LAST POET, Abiodun Oyewole

Featuring the artwork of 

Charly J. Dominguez

Being conscious can really change your perspective on the world.

 But don’t expect the world itself to change without a contribution from you.

Raising Conscious Children

Raising Conscious Children

Photography by Johnnie Lee Smith

Folks always say that character and education start at home. Nowadays we have children having children, many young women really don't want the responsibility. Some see children as toys or something cute rather than an individual.  Living in the hood you see the effects of children who have beed discarded and society not recognizing these individuals until they hit the judicial system.

There are so many cases today of child molestation, child murders, child slavery and the stories continue.  The older folks blame the young folks and the young folks blame the old folks for not having backbone.  The old folks pick at the young folks in what they ain;t doing right and the young folks look at there elders as cowards because many have given up, they fail to show leadership and that's where the young folks do have a point. 

As I have experienced life and have witnessed many who claim to be loving parents but spend more time on facebook, twitter, instagram and google+ than folks who work in the field of social networking.  I have witnessed many mothers and fathers claiming to be a parent but you see no mention or pictures of their beloved children, it's like they don't exist. You do see pictures and mentions of them with their friends and celebrities and what they claim thety are doing.  We can laugh about this but what is so sad is the amount of selfishness that is displayed virally on these platforms.  Are you really a professional or are you just being distracted? I know for me it's a distraction unless I am promoting an event or film.

I know for a fact when I am on the phone or facebook while my daughter is home it's a rap.  Little Momma tells me immediately excuse me but I need your attention.  As parents sometimes we ignore our children and then we realize this little person is asking for some time.  I have been guilty myself recognizing that technology has my mind I have to make time in my schedule to do me.  Now don't get me wrong a little checking your tumblr while your at the playground while your child is being entertained is fine.  

I want to share today a Pledge from my film 

"110 Morningside" that my mentor Abiodun Oyewole chants.  

Dune's Pledge

I want to be

what I can be

To be proud

healthy and free

I want to say 

what I know

To help my Bruthas and Sisters grow

I want to feel

good about me

and blame no one for my misery

'Cause I'll be strong

to turn it around

I want go up

I'm not going down

I want to do 

what I can do

to make all my dreams come true.

Remember my past

the good and bad

How I made it art

even when it was sad

I want to share 

whatever my gift

and when your feeling low 

I'll give you a lift

I want to live without fear

and know that I'm blessed for being here!

and know that I'm blessed for being here!

and know that I'm blessed!

I encourage all parents to teach this to the youth that frequent your life or to your own children. May this inspiration inspire you and your family it has inspired my family for years and still continues to this day. My five year old daughter now recites this and yes they do understand the powers of these words. Try it, print and recite and see how your kids eat this up.

Blessings...

Live from Filmstress row...this is the Filmstress