The Trove: Sienna Gonzalez July 31, 2011

Sienna photographed by family friend, Charlotte-based Mary Ebert. Sienna Gonzalez is in many ways your typical American tween: she likes Selena Gomez, she loves to hang with her friends, she shoos her little brother out of her room for privacy and like most born in the new millennium, she knows her way around a Wii [...]

The Trove: djassi daCosta johnson May 26, 2011

Mrs. Verini: djassi daCosta johnson, 2 months pregnant. djassi daCosta johnson adores her “ridiculously amazing family.”  It is in the haven of their embrace and the freedom of their trust that she’s been able to move fearlessly through her life. Her educator parents Awolowo and Orundun, of whom she speaks reverentially, anointed their eldest daughter [...]

Africa in the Picture IX May 29, 2010

The Memorial Day weekend in Brooklyn becomes a family reunion of sorts with BAM’s longest-running program, DanceAfrica, “a vibrant celebration of Africa and the diaspora through dance, art, film, and an outdoor bazaar.” Check the calendar for the various goings-on, but if you can squeeze it in today, grab the kids and go to see [...]

Africa in the Picture VII May 26, 2010

Considering our ravaged earth… Vintage travel posters make for wonderful home decor.  Salvaging discarded materials, London-based textile/jewelry designer Anita Quansah creates showstopping, earth-friendly pieces such as the “Nava” …  A fabulous trench of vintage fabric, pattern play and bold accessories from Duro Olowu for Spring. (photo from Elle.com) Taking its name from the Swahili “shed [...]

Africa in the Picture IV May 18, 2010

Niece of Nigerian highlife star Victor Olaiya, Wunmi Olaiya has music in her blood.  With her fierce style (she designs under the Wumnigirl label) and high-0ctane performances she has built a devoted following.  Her supporters rallied to assist her when in November she made a request on Kickstarter for donations to fund her sophomore solo [...]

Brooklyn Moment #10: Neither Rain Nor Heat… August 31, 2009

One of the highlights of summer in Brooklyn for nearly a decade has been attendance at the feel-good, Sunday afternoon-til-dark family picnic, doggie meet-and-greet, drum circle, twirl-n-skate house music fest that is Soul Summit. In the shadow of the looming monument atop Fort Greene Park’s highest point, rotating DJ’s kick it Garage-style for those old [...]

Brooklyn Moment #7: Wonder-Full XI May 22, 2009

I remember riding in the Torino, my mom’s best friend at the wheel, the women in the front all cigarettes and Afros, the kids in the back all Afro puffs and yarn-tied pigtails. Car door locks looked like silver golf tees, asking the cat at Esso for directions was the GPS of the day and [...]

Enamored with Ailey February 10, 2009

I was tickled to see the President and the First Lady honor their commitment to “date night” with an evening at the Kennedy Center on Friday. Along with a small coterie including daughters Malia and Sasha, the Obamas enjoyed highlights from the 50th anniversary season of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. I took in [...]

Free v.2 June 25, 2008

Note: the list has been updated yet again. Download the latest at the Free v.3 blog post. Okay folks, be sure to download version two ( free08v2 ) of my summer freebie list. Some updates include the MLK concerts in Wingate Park (Erykah Badu, y’all!), Movies With a View in the shadow of the Brooklyn [...]