Black books, African heritage books, mind/body/spirit, The Ancestral Energies Blog by Zhana, author of Success Strategies for Black People and Black Success Stories. African diasporic healing, health and wellness, and success.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Black History Virtual Book Fair
Storytellers, librarians, historians, teachers, parents and motivational speakers are invited to participate in this event, the theme of which is "Give the Gift of Knowledge".
To read more, visit: http://www.edc-creations.com/blackhistorybookfairthemes.html
Today Only: Launch of Love Letter to Black People
http://www.readerviews.com/Launch-McClellan-index.html
What they are already saying about Love Letter
Brian has truly created a masterpiece -- meticulously researched, beautifully written, uncompromisingly insightful, and 'get-out-of-your-chair' motivating. - André Taylor, Entrepreneur and Author of You Can Still Win!
I strongly recommend this book to anyone - of any race - whether as an interesting sociological study or an inspiring handbook for success. - Kristen Galles, BookClubClassics.com A Love Letter to Black People
When you buy A Love Letter to Black People TODAY (Tuesday, February 10, 2009) by visiting the following URL (http://www.readerviews.com/Launch-McClellan-index.html), you will get it at a great discount and receive many gifts and bonuses with it such as exclusive excerpts of books from Larry Coleman, Judy Lubin, Hillary Roy and Rose Mitchell - and me. Also, your purchase will automatically enter you into a drawing to win one of 20 autographed copies of books from critically acclaimed author Gary Unger and even Brian McClellan's first book, The Real Bling. Get your bonus chapter on "Achieving Success" from my ebook What They Don't Want Us to Know.
So I strongly urge you to check it out and claim your free bonuses.
Saturday, February 07, 2009
Elvis Costello and Smokey Robinson

It was a magical moment. Smokey told the story of when he met Ray Charles for the first time and Charles helped him out of a difficult situation. In fact, it would have been a disaster had it not been for Charles's intervention. Read all about it at Celebrating the Legend that Is Motown.
Smokey also talked about working with Marvin Gaye and how he "Marvinised" every song he sang - he made every song his own.
In this Black History Month/African Heritage Month, we may be very aware of the suffering we have endured and our fight for survival. It's also important to remember and celebrate the good times.
Then I saw the end credits. And who produced this TV gem? Among others, David Furnish and Sir Elton John.
Friday, February 06, 2009
New Respect for Ainsley Harriott
And I gained new respect for the presenter, Ainsley Harriott, yesterday after his appearance on The Wright Stuff. While professing his respect for Carol Thatcher, he also said, "people think because they [gollywogs] are cute and cuddly, it's okay to use that word. It's not on".
See also: Carol Thatcher and the Gollywog Remark. She has been sacked from one of her shows on the BBC after refusing to apologise for comparing someone's hair to that of a gollywog. She insists this was not a racist remark.
Tuesday, February 03, 2009
Carol Thatcher and the Gollywog Remark
The panel pretty much agreed that this is a storm in a teacup, as Thatcher's remark was made privately. Sanjeev Bhaskar is making jokes about it.
These kinds of grotesque images were widely circulated in the African colonies to reinforce negative stereotypes about African people, as the the late Len Garrison, founder of the Black Cultural Archives explains in Black Success Stories.
I don't think anyone should have to work in a workplace where these kinds of remarks are being made.
One of the key areas in which Black people were taught to have negative thoughts and feelings about ourself was around our hair. To read more about this, read The Key to Confidence and Self-Esteem. See also What They Don't Want Us to Know.
Saturday, January 31, 2009
We Need to Heal
As people of African heritage, we were taught to hate ourselves. That's why we often find so much conflict within Black groups and organisations. It's why there is sometimes so much distrust between African people. When you see Black people tearing each other apart, and when we engage in that kind of behaviour ourselves, this is one of the reasons. We are very wounded and we need to heal these wounds.
To read the rest of this article, visit The Key to Confidence and Self-Esteem.
Friday, January 23, 2009
Obama: The View from Brixton
Obama's Inauguration Day: I have added a link to a video made in Brixton, on "Obama, the new American Zeitgeist?" Please read my article and add your comments.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Obama's Inauguration Day Today
On Tuesday 20th January 2009, Barack Hussein Obama will be inaugurated as the 44th President of the
Inauguration parties will be held all over the world. In
Where will you be celebrating the inauguration? To read more and leave your comments, visit: Obama's Inauguration Day. See also Barack Obama: African American Success Story and Celebrating Barack Abama.
What Inspires You about Obama?
Many African American people were strongly moved and inspired by the vision of an African American President. Obama’s election was truly groundbreaking. He mobilized sections of society which are notorious for failing to vote, e.g. young Black people, who often feel marginalized and disenfranchised.
On the day we celebrate the inauguration of the first African American President of the United States, I ask: What inspires you about President Obama?
What inspires you about President Obama?
Thursday, January 08, 2009
Celebrating Barack Obama
His picture is on the covers of Essence and GQ.
Ebony have devoted their entire issue to him as their first-ever "Person of the Year".
And Pride, a UK Black women's magazine, feature Barack, Michelle and their girls on the cover.
To read the rest of this article, please visit:
http://www.squidoo.com/Celebrating-Obama
Here is a list of some of my other recent Obama blogs:
Polling Day
I went to the doctor's this morning and he said, "Make sure you get it right this time. I've emailed all my American friends and told them to get it right this time." He also said, "It would have made a huge difference if Al Gore had won". And he is a white Englishman.
Happy Birthday, America!
This truly is a new day. A new dawn. On a level, I realise, I never thought I would see this in my lifetime. A Black man in the White House. Now anything is possible. Whole new possibilities have opened up. Things that were not conceivable yesterday can happen now. I felt like this when apartheid ended in South Africa and Nelson Mandela was elected. I feel it even more strongly now.
I Keep Crying – Great Post-Election Videos
Message from President Obama
It is so important for us as people of African heritage to celebrate our successes. To read my article, "Do You Think Like a Success", visit
http://www.squidoo.com/Do-You-Think-Like-a-Success
Have a great day!
Financial Prosperity + Positive Changes in 2009
I've only recently gotten back from a two-week Buddhist retreat. It was brilliant. What a way to start the year. It's difficult being back home in London, however. The noise, the dirt, the aggression of the people, the stress. I wish I were back in the clean, fresh air and peaceful environment of the Welsh hills.
But enough about me.
Are you serious about improving your life in 2009? If so, you need my book, Success Strategies for Black People.
In these troubled times, we need to find new ways of achieving success, both financially and in other areas of our lives. Download a free chapter on “Achieving Success” from my ebook What They Don’t Want Us to Know at: http://tinyurl.com/96vtx5
Check out my article on Financial Prosperity at http://www.blacksuccess1.com/keytofinancialprosper.htm
For more articles, and for ongoing advice and support, join my free Nurture Success online community at http://nurturesuccess.multiply.com/
Barack Obama: African American Success Story
Barack Obama is one of the most important African American successful role models in history.
What can people of African heritage learn from his success? How can we apply this to our own lives?
You can read the rest of this article here:
http://www.squidoo.com/Barack-Obama---African-American-Success-
Have a great day!
Friday, December 05, 2008
Positive Cultural Reinforcement for African American Parents
Probably the same way everyone else does.
But on top of all the other considerations, African American people often want to find gifts which are culturally relevant for us and our children.
Christmas and Kwanzaa provide excellent opportunities for positive cultural reinforcement.
Click here to read the rest of this article.
Click here for my free guide to Black holiday gifts.
Thursday, December 04, 2008
Barack Obama: African American Success Story
People all over the world are still celebrating Barack Obama's election victory. Of course, for African American people, this success has particular significance.
What can African American people learn from his success?
To read the rest of this article, click here.
Friday, November 21, 2008
The Key to Financial Prosperity
Use the methods I will share with you and you can see brilliant, amazing results. Your potential is unlimited. I guarantee you are capable of going way beyond what you think you can achieve.
Check it out: http://www.blacksuccess1.com/keytofinancialprosper.htm
You will also enjoy my new, free report on 4 Steps to Getting the Job You Want:
http://www.e-junkie.com/zhana21
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Love Letter to Black People
There are no limits to what we can achieve.
My guest tonight will be Brian McClellan, author of Love Letter to Black People.
I hope you can join us at 8:00 p.m. UK time.
Sunday, November 09, 2008
I Keep Crying - Great Post-Election Videos
My fellow AfroSpear member African American Political Pundit (AAPP) made these videos of people the day after Election Day:
The status quo has been shaken to its very core.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-d4em0tHc8
First Time Voter Aged 60+
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ilpqwSGEDZ4
Young Black Voters Barack the Vote
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=RUzhcCnCW5c
Interview with a Woman Soldier
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w0bYxBBEonA
Here are some more interesting videos. Like Whoopi Goldberg, and a lot of other people, I did not, in my heart of hearts, believe I would see this day in my lifetime.
The View on Obama
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=AG2SmyO4YQc&NR=1
Mobs of people in Washington, DC celebrate Obama’s Win
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=n8qcjVa_jjw&NR=1
Just goes to show that anything is possible. There are no limits to what we can achieve. Just like I'm always saying. Turns out it's true!
Check out my book Success Strategies for Black People.
Wednesday, November 05, 2008
Message from President Obama
Subject: How This Happened
I'm about to head to Grant Park to talk to everyone gathered there, but I wanted to write to you first.
We just made history.
And I don't want you to forget how we did it.
You made history every single day during this campaign -- every day you knocked on doors, made a donation, or talked to your family, friends, and neighbors about why you believe it's time for change.
I want to thank all of you who gave your time, talent, and passion to this campaign.
We have a lot of work to do to get our country back on track, and I'll be in touch soon about what comes next.
But I want to be very clear about one thing...
All of this happened because of you.
Thank you,
Barack
Happy Birthday, America!
Got up at 5:30 this morning and turned on the TV. When I saw the news, I started to cry. I was so emotional. All these crowds cheering Obama.
This truly is a new day. A new dawn.
On a level, I realise, I never thought I would see this in my lifetime. A Black man in the White House. Now anything is possible.
Whole new possibilities have opened up. Things that were not conceivable yesterday can happen now. I felt like this when apartheid ended in South Africa and Nelson Mandela was elected. I feel it even more strongly now.
For the first time, I care about what the First Lady is wearing. I care about how she will decorate. We have a Black First Lady in the White House now.
When Michelle Obama tells her children they can grow up to be President, she really means it. And now, the rest of us can mean it too.
Obama had 93% of the African American vote, along with 40% of the white vote.
African Americans are full citizens at last. We can participate fully in the electoral process. We have the power to bring about change. And we have used our power.
At last, I feel proud to be American.
Well done, America. Congratulations. You have finally come of age.
Tuesday, November 04, 2008
Polling Day
The whole world is watching the U.S. election today, even more than usual. The whole world could be affected by the outcome.
I've been speaking to friends and family on the other side of the pond, who tell me they feel both excited and apprehensive.
1) First, there are the mechanics of the voting process. Will they have to queue for hours? This could be very stressful, both for the voters and for those running the polling stations. Reports of understaffing are circulating. What if fights break out?
I don’t think anybody anticipated this high voter turnout, and the polling stations are unprepared for this.
Lawyers have been hired to help support fair voting practices. I am imagining teams of lawyers like SWAT teams swooping in to investigate. Who knew U.S. elections could be so exciting?
2) Will the voting machines work? Oprah’s experience suggests this could be a problem. How many other voters will struggle with this one? If an African American billionaire, the most influential woman on the planet, cannot cast her vote, what hope do the rest of us have?
Lots of problems in Nevada. Are the CSIs onto this?
3) The papers are saying Black people will riot if Obama doesn’t win. I say, yeah, right. But with record numbers of young people voting, maybe this is a real possibility.
Surely the time to riot was when Bush got put in the White House the first time without being elected.
So what’s going to happen? How was it for you? Phone in to my show tonight to share your opinions and experiences. http://www.blacksuccess1.com/radioshow.htm
My friend Adrianne George from Black Women in Europe is going to be up all night talking about the election. She has invited me (yeah, me!) to join her for part of that discussion. It starts at 8:00 UK time (so clashes with my show), but it will go on all night. To watch the live blog, visit:
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Black History: Poetry, Music, Art
I hope you will be able to join us.
Every month, the UK 's Most Wanted programme includes spoken word, music and an art exhibition.
Time: 4:00-8:00 p.m.
Place: Redstar, 319 Camberwell Road, Camberwell Green,
London SE5 0HQ
Cost: £7 or free with a leaflet.
For more info, phone 07727 214 047
To read interviews with African Caribbean artists on their responses to the Bicentenary of the end of the Transatlantic trade, visit:
www.kuumba-survivors.com
For more BHM arts events, visit: http://groups.msn.com/BlackBooksStuff/events.msnw