BCB Welcomes Marvelous Marvin

We are honored to welcome Marvin McCraw to our movement.  Marvin has been working with youth inspiring them poetically and we welcome his humble spirit. Marvin is our Creative Producer for Bringing Consciousness Back and manages over thirteen youth in Rochester, New York and started "It takes a Village" ITAV workshops that teach inner city kids to use their voice poetically.  We look forward to collaborating with Marvin and the youth from ITAV.  

MAY 30th

Join us at our next event in Rochester

The Band Droidz 4/25/15 @ The Shrine

The Band Droidz have been rocking stages for years and have the energy of a cyclone.  

We are honored to have the Band Droidz to be a part of our movement of change.
They infuse rock with reggae and promoting conscious music.

Band Droidz are an amazing group check them out.

THE BAND DROIDZ

Wolf = Drummer, Monk = Guitarist, QMaxx = Bass

Videography by Maurice Bolden

Upcoming events

Upcoming Events

NEW YORK CITY!

ROCHESTER, NY

Sponsored by Filmstress Filmz, The Rochester Black Bar Association, The Art Factory, 

The Monroe County Public Library System

March 25th

Today Was A Good Day!

Feel free to make a conscious donation.

Bringing Conscious Back honoring Dr. Leonard Jeffries

Natural Light in Life

The five blessings in life are:

health, longevity, virtuous behavior, prosperity and a natural death.  The five constant virtues are:

propriety, benevolence, righteousness, wisdom and faith.  

Those who live in accord with the universal subtle law are preserved.

Aim at human and spiritual nobility.  There is one word that we can can use as a motto for our entire life: reciprocity.

  What we do not want to be done to ourselves, we must not do to others.

The more we give others. the more abundant our lives become.  In helping people and caring for  life, our own lives will be very rewarding.

In life we meet all type of people some folks may claim they need help but when confronted with assistance they lock up. Is it because they aren't sincere with their need? Lately I have been keeping busy with organizing events and staying positive.  We will have our haters and we will have our supporters, taking everything in stride is the key.

We look forward to you joining us

Wednesday, February 25, 2015

 5-7 P.M.

The Phillis Wheatley Library

33 Dr. Samuel McCree Way

Rochester, NY

JOIN US MLK DAY

J. Cole: "Be Free" - David Letterman

Namaste

J.Cole is 

Bringing Conscious Back

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...

Conscious Inmates...

We had our last joyous occasion at "The Shrine" last month it was fabulous. 

We screened "Living Legendz" that featured Dr. Leonard Jeffries, Jamal Joseph and Abiodun Oyewole. We had outrageous girl talent that rock the joint.  Marc Polite did his thing on the mic such a brilliant writer and humble gentleman. 

As we came to a close this year many folks kept asking when is the next event. To be honest it will be in the spring of 2015.  We have to revamp our mission and make it more health conscious.  

I am continuing the campaign through the winter months I have started screening my films at a jail nearby.  Which was my goal to reach individuals in the system so that I can inspire them and in some way stop recidivism.  Always wanted to work in the jails because it's such a depressed atmosphere that needs attention.  I feel that many of the individuals that are in lock up facilites wanted attention and used criminal activity to get that attention, but then again that is my opinion.  Recently I have made some strides with meeting men and women inmates introducing myself and who I am.  The women were a bit harder than the men from what I observed.  One lady who was very masculine came up to me and said "yo, you really touched my heart" that meant a lot to me.  That someone that looked that hard actually could relate to my story.  I shared with the ladies my life and how I came to be here.  I realized that "Bringing Conscious Back" had to keep going for the folks who are going to return back into our society.  The jail is not going to rehabilitate these individuals it's obvious.  That leaves programs from the community or the state which are doing the best they can on a shoe string budget.  Most programs are GED, or religious activity to keep the inmates mind of the mayheim I suppose.  While I was there some of the inmates spoke about wish they could get some college credit while they were sitting in there.  I tend to agree with them, why not let them read and educate their mind it's not like it's going to do any harm.  Most of the felons that return already have that stigma they have a felony record so with that strike agaunst them with no education society is forcing them to make another unconscious decision.  

I will be screening "110 Morningside" this weeks visit to the jail.  I am looking forward to feedback and inspiring individuals for change.  My goal is to make it to 2 prisons this holiday season so the campaign will touch more people.  It is my goal to also have MCC MVP (Mentors in Violence Prevention) program graduates to assist me in this campaign.  My contact for the progam has been sick so looking to link up wth them the end of the month.

We will be putting an online fundraiser for gas and administrative expenses for our jail visits.  So if you would like to help us financially on our journey you will be able to be a part of the solution.

THE BEST 2014 Interns
Shamar & Flix 

I thank all of the artists that came out this year and showed love, you are deeply appreciated.

Unity in the Community!

It's coming up on a year since we started our campaign "Bringing Conscious Back" and we are proud to say we are still running and campaigning using media, spoken word and music to inspire communities to have conscious dialogue and spur action for change.
We started on May 19th which happens to be "Malcolm X" birthday and the day the "Last Poets" got started in Marcus Garvey Park. As our one year anniversary comes up we are proud to say that we have gained some reputable artists and speakers.  

 Along the way we lost some but it's okay because everyone that participated was a winner. We welcome any new talent with a conscious message to perform.

For more information how you can participate please email our Admin.  at Filmstressfilmz@gmail.com

Consciousness as Power

The state of being conscious  refers to attainment & maintenance of a level of physiological arousal or alertness which permits the conscious being aware of, to remember, to recall both past & contemporary, internal and external events.  The state of being conscious essentially refers to a state of wakefulness & knowingness.  Today a young woman reached out and found what I had posted a while ago  I wanted to share it again today.

It's been said, people can only be as good as their thoughts, as successful as mental patterns, as progressive as their ideas.  In today's society being conscious is to listen to our thoughts, praying for divine guidance and following the intuitive urging.  Globally many unconscious individuals believe education, money, fame & notoriety are instrumental to their success.  If you are aware of the misconceptions of success you realize they are as useful as dirty dishwater without a clear firm, focused mind.   The process is quite simple to be conscious of who you are as individual.  When you develop a strong faith and connection to the Creator.  Demonstrate a healthy love and respect for your ancestors and parents, being committed and dedicated to your family traditions.  And a trusting relationship  to the spirit of your soul.  Trust your conscious and your first thought regardless of what others may say.  You own conscious takes you to the places you need to be...

With that being said let's all work collectively in making our neighborhood and communities more fruitful and inspiring.

Have a terrific day and may the Creator guide your journey to be successful. 

Blessingz

Check out the new Blogtalk Radio show "Bringing Conscious Back" 

I will be explaining my message behind the grassroots movement.  Looking forward to inspiring and motivating others about conscious thinking and eating healthy.

March 20th, Thursday morning at 10:00 A.M. (EST)

Join me on air or just listen in.

Namaste

Upcoming Events

Gandhi Institute is Conscious...

Our new sponsor for "Bringing Conscious Back" 

The M.K. Gandhi Institute for Nonviolence

The M.K. Gandhi Institute for Nonviolence is a nonprofit that works to realize the vision of its historic namesake by helping individuals and communities create public awareness of nonviolence as knowledge critical to human thriving. The M.K. Gandhi Institute collaborates with local organizations, academic institutions, students and committed peacemakers in the following areas: nonviolence education,sustainability and environmental conservation, and the promotion ofrestorative justice. The Institute continuously offers groups and individuals trainings in skills such as nonviolent communication (NVC), self- reflection, meditation and experiential interconnectedness, and fosters sustainability practices in the Rochester area such as community gardening, urban agriculture and restorative approaches to conflict.

We are pleased to announce our next event will be at the 

M.K. Gandhi Institute for Nonviolence

December 12, 2013

7 - 9 P.M.

929 South Plymouth Avenue

Rochester, New York 14608

EDUCATE

To create public awareness of nonviolence critical for humans and the planet

EMBODY

training individuals in skills such as non violent communication, self reflection, and meditation.

SERVE

Fostering practices such as community gardening, urban agriculture & restorative justice projects

Bringing Conscious Back 

mission

Our purpose is to engage individuals in the principles and benefits of conscious living, by adding value and meaning to their lives, careers and communities. The arts professionals offer an opportunity to breathe new life into communities and build bridges to improve brotherhood regardless of race, creed or religion.

Being conscious can really change your perspective on the world.

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

FREE FILM SCREENING 
of
MILLENNIUM SLAVE!

Bringing Conscious Back

Your invited!
We are looking forward to our next event next week, Wednesday. We have partnered with the non-violence organization MCC MVP and look forward to partnering with many more. Christine Plumeri who hosted our last event will be out of town. We look forward to having some of her students and MVP alumni come and share in our event. 

Mentors in Violence Prevention Program (MVP-MCC)  in Action!

Mentors in Violence Prevention at MCC (MVP-MCC)   MCC faculty, staff, students and community members are proud to now have over 100 mentors in our communities who are educating others about social injustice and the gendered causes of most types of interpersonal violence. MVP was founded in 1993 at Northeastern University by leading anti-violence educator, Jackson Katz (HYPERLINK "http://www.jacksonkatz.com"www.jacksonkatz.com), who visited DCC in 2008 and gifted us this proven effective curriculum.  MCC is one of just three colleges in the U.S. and the only community college with an MVP Program.  MVP is also utilized in all branches of the U.S.  military, professional, college and high school sports teams, NAASCAR and many other organizations. MVP-MCC includes curriculum infusion in Criminal Justice, Sociology and Speech Communications coursework, bystander intervention training, co- and extra-curricular programming, and service work.   With our recent graduating class, we will expand curriculum infusion into additional Criminal Justice courses, as well as into English, Health Education and Psychology coursework. Bringing Conscious Back works hard to make a difference towards non-violence by promoting FREE community events.  Being conscious can really change your perspective on the world. But don’t expect the world itself to change without a contribution from you.

Bringing Conscious Back in November