Photo Credit : http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=viewImage&friendID=22887675&albumID=2579355&imageID=57634791

I’ve been into the laid back/folk pop/acoustic/ music lately. Listening to Mandy Moore”s “‘Wild Hope”, Rachael Yamagata’s “Happenstance” and Colbie Caillat’s “Coco”. Ironically, listed as one of Colbie Caillait’s myspace page is singer Hope. She blends acoustic,soul and pop music with her sound, similar to Colbie’s. Her song, “Who Am I To Say” has been featured in Tyler Perry’s ‘Why Did I Get Married” Soundtrack, and her song “Leave Me in New York” was featured on MTV’s reality TV Show “The City”. She sites her influences as Sade, Sting and John Mayer and it definitely shows in her music. She blends her acoustic guitar with her soft voice to make beautiful songs. I will be looking for her album when it comes out. Click on the links below to find out more info on her and her music:

Check out Hope’s myspace page

Click here to listen to Hope’s single “Who Am I To Say”

Hope’s website

Photo Credit: People Magazine

Michelle Obama (who looks to be sporting a new shorter hairstyle) talks about Malia & Sasha’s “White House Chores” and the Obama’s new life at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue in the newest issue of People Magazine, which hits newsstands this Friday.

Click here to view a snippet of the cover story: First Daughter’s White House Rules

Michelle Obama, America’s first African-American First Lady graces the March 2009 cover of Vogue Magazine is out now. I was able to get the last copy at the local CVS store. I’m really into collecting Obama magazine covers and look up to Michelle as a role model, so I was really hoping to get this issue. If you click on the link below, you’ll be able to read her interview with African-American Vogue Editor-At-Large, Andre Leon Talley (If you don’t know him by name, you probably seen him in the Sex and the City Movie [when Carrie is modeling all the fabulous designer wedding dresses] or at any fashion week event in NYC).

Michelle Obama Interview for Vogue Magazine

Photo Credit: Parade.com

Barack Obama has written a letter to his two daughters: Malia Ann and Sasha (a.k.a. Natasha) about his love for them and what he wants for his children (I wish all fathers could be like him).

Here’s an excert:

“Dear Malia and Sasha,

I know that you’ve both had a lot of fun these last two years on the campaign trail, going to picnics and parades and state fairs, eating all sorts of junk food your mother and I probably shouldn’t have let you have. But I also know that it hasn’t always been easy for you and Mom, and that as excited as you both are about that new puppy, it doesn’t make up for all the time we’ve been apart. I know how much I’ve missed these past two years, and today I want to tell you a little more about why I decided to take our family on this journey.

When I was a young man, I thought life was all about me-about how I’d make my way in the world, become successful, and get the things I want. But then the two of you came into my world with all your curiosity and mischief and those smiles that never fail to fill my heart and light up my day. And suddenly, all my big plans for myself didn’t seem so important anymore. I soon found that the greatest joy in my life was the joy I saw in yours. And I realized that my own life wouldn’t count for much unless I was able to ensure that you had every opportunity for happiness and fulfillment in yours. In the end, girls, that’s why I ran for President: because of what I want for you and for every child in this nation. “

Check out the entire article in the Jan.18 issue of Parade magazine (which hits newsstands this Sunday) or check it out online, on Parade Magazine’s website : “What I Want I Want For You–And Every Child in America”

WEEN, also known as Women in Entertainment Empowerment Network, has created its own radio show. WEEN Radio will focus on issues related to women of today, i.e. career, relationships, friendships, etc. I love the idea of this, and love the organization. Women definitely need to network and help each other in their lives without having any catty setbacks. I’ll definitely be an avid listener. Click here to check out its radio site

If you haven’t heard, season two American Idol runner-up, Clay Aiken, has come out of the closet. If you want to know my opinion of his coming out, click here to read it on Rave.

 I’m not a political person, but I do have some knowledge of the Zimbabwe election controversy. I had to read The New York Times for my journalism class and a new story on Zimbabwe seemed to pop up every week. Although various journalists and political analysts have shared their opinion on the country and its current situation, rarely have you heard from the actually people of Zimbabwe and their thoughts. Meet Delsha Moodley. Delsha is just like any other young woman in her twenties. She’s ambitious, motivated, full of life, etc and she just happens to be Zimbabwean. Delsha, who now calls the UK her home, contacted me via myspace. After learning she was Zimbabwean, I was eager to know what her thoughts were on the current state of her native country. Below is her perspective on Zimbabwe, Africa and its Diaspora.

Why Do You Want To Inform People About Zimbabwe?

Being that i am Zimbabwean born i feel it’s important to embrace my country and inform people about it. But as in a whole it’s important for all of us African descent people to not forget the Motherland and it’s people. I might be Zimbabwean but i feel we are all brothers and sisters, regardless of race, religion or culture. Mama Africa is misunderstood and very little is known about it including it’s history. People think of Africa as bushmen living in the wildlife with the lions. There is more to Africa, many people see the continent in a pessimistic view due to famine, disease, corruption, war and dictatorship.

What Are Your Thoughts on The Africa Dispora?

Nothing in life is perfect and not all sufferings can be eradicated, but making an effort to help those in need, i don’t mean billions of dollars in donations but even sponsoring a child in a third world country or ones own or monthly donations to certain organisations, does go a long way. We cannot save everyone but at least saving one person’s life is important including preserving wildlife habitats, i myself also sponsor a black rhino in Kenya, Kinyanjui as they are on the verge of extinction in Africa.

And thoughts on Africa?

For years many years slaves suffered torture but thank you to all those heros and heroines for their determination to be set free and live their lives as a human being, also thank you to all those non-africans that helped the abolition of slavery. It is important for us to try to be benevolent.
All those Africans taken from their countries still tried to keep their cultures going, yet they might have lost their lingo, they have managed to keep the African cultural heritage going strong through dance. That’s what i love is the music, the talent, the happiness, the rhythms, the drums that Africa brings to the World. Looking at Soca, Rumba, Hip Hop, Dancehall, Capoeira, Kwaito, Samba, Reggaeton, Reggae all these deriving from African descent people.The tradition of beads, feathers, fabric etc representing significance.
The flora and fauna, the beautiful attractions, the wildlife, the landscapes the harmony of life.

Africa is in the poorest, yes! But when music and dance is put to test they stay on top of the situation, bringing people closer together and happy, a time when rich and poor, young and old coalesce. Africa in a whole is in danger due to ethnic conflicts, military powers, dictatorship, greed, disease, especially HIV, crime, poverty, famine and war. But this is not caused by continent it is caused by certain human individuals that thrive to be acknowledged for their power.

So for me i suggest people should just start being loving to one another regardless if you born in Africa or not, we all came from there yeah! And look towards projects that help with education assistance to young children, because they are our future and need to be educated, able to read in order to know their rights, so they may be able to stand on their own two feet and secure a better future for themselves.

How Do You Want People To View Zimbabweans?

When i arrived in England, many people i met always asked me which country i came from and when i mentioned Zimbabwe, i always got them asking me questions especially about the political situation. They did not know anything about the country the President’s name was and all the violence portrayed by the media. I however never got involved in a political discussion, but many people wanted to know more about the country besides the negative side, so that’s why i decided to start my blog, so that people could access a bit more information on Zimbabwe on one site instead of searching so many websites. I obviously wanted to show the optimistic side of Zimbabwe.

What is your purpose for starting your blog?

My aim would be that i would like people to not stereotype Zimbabweans due to the issues on going in the country. Zimbabwean people are loving and happy beings with a strong family and spiritual background and they strive for a better education. Music and dance also plays a large part.

What Do You Think About The Voting Situation in Zimbabwe?

As far as politics and the voting scenario, i cannot comment on that because i do not know much about politics myself. My country is currently going through a lot of financial issues due to the ever rising inflation rate, this is affecting each and every being, therefore there is an increase in poverty, lack of jobs and opportunities, lack of investment. I hope the International and regional community will not turn their backs on Zimbabwe, because us non-political people have no say over the running of the country. We just want to live peacefully, happy and move on in life and strive for a better future. Zimbabwe once dubbed as the ‘basket of Africa’ is no longer but i remain optimistic that one day things will change. As far as Ihave read I see there will be talks with both the ruling and opposition party, so i do hope this will be the beginning of a prosperous Zimbabwe.

To learn more about Delsha, visit her myspace page: http://www.myspace.com/delshamoodley

and her blog: Delsha : http://delbanella.blogspot.com/

Author Ananda Leeke has created BAP Living, a social networking site for BAPs and EBW and BAP Living Radio. BAP Living Radio is a monthly podcast that features interviews with fellow BAPs ( Black American Princess) or EBW (Educated Black Women) about issues that affect Black women, whether it be finance, fashion or food. The first episode premiered on June 1, 2008. It featured Ananda as the host as well as: Judith T. Weathers, financial advisor, Karla Borders Pope: fashion,beauty and lifestyle blogger of Brown Girl Gumbo, Erin Jahi: chef, founder and owner of Trinity’s Green Plate in Chicago and Dr. Yakini: clinical psychologist and founder of Girly Home Webzine. This is mandatory for every BAP and EBW to listen, it covers issues such as black women & finance, how to eat/make raw foods, what’s the hottest summer trends and black women & depression. Definetly check it out!!!!