shade magazine

The 60th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was December 10th, 2009. There is indeed much to be celebrated as there has been substantial strides made into protecting human rights over those 60 years. From enactment of several key legislation, worldwide, to just larger awareness of the importance and need to define and [...]

Recently, I went to the 3rd Annual Mandiguerios Batizado 2009, a regional Capoeira event in Alexandria, VA.  A good childhood friend of mine, Sami Ahmed (”Selo” as he is referred to by his fellow capoeiristas), has been involved and practicing capoeira for several years [and was actually receiving his new cord to become a monitor [...]

 I love discovering new sounds. So when I came across Ayo, I knew I needed to share her music with as many people as I could. She is an Afro-German guitar-strumming, afro-funk/soul songstress. She has a slight accent and it makes her voice sound amazing over the reggae beats. Her lyrics are reminiscent of  a young [...]

Is it really not  about race?
Its October. We are fully into 9 months of living under The Obama Presidency. Now that I have become a new citizen (yes I’ve lived here for almost two decades and I have waited till now to finally seal the deal.whatev.better late than never, right? right), I have become more [...]

MOVIE PREMIERE: TEZA
Highly acclaimed Ethiopian director, Haile Gerima premieres his new feature film, Teza, this THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2009 at AVALON THEATER, 5612 CONNECTICUT AVE NW WASHINGTON, DC 20015.
What does Teza mean?
Teza is a word in Amharic language (national language of Ethiopia) referring to memory.
What is the film Teza about?
The film, Teza, is set in [...]