Dear Mr. Sartorialist,

I bought a book yesterday. No surprise to you who know me well. This one's by fashion photographer Scott Schuman, also known as The Sartorialist. I love it and I cant stop looking at it, so I decided to tell Mr. Schuman why. Who knows if he'll really read my email, but I figured I'd let him know that I dig his work. You can read my letter to him below. Then check out his blog at TheSartorialist.blogspot.com.

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Hello -

Yesterday, as I walked into a store in my city, there was something about the woman on the cover of your book I could not ignore. Laying flat on a round table in front of me, I'm sure it was the way she stared, combined with the thoughtful, yet simple way she was dressed.
Reluctantly, I picked her up, thumbed through the pages behind her and sat her back down. I buy books where ever I go and was there to pick up last minute gifts for friends, not for me. It's Christmas. I walked around a little more and there she was again, watching me over her shoulder. Again I succumbed to her seduction. This time though, I noticed with every turn and with every new face on the pages I touched, I couldn't help but to smile. I loved the authenticity of the photos, I loved the confidence radiating from each person's eyes and I appreciated that with every portrait, I could see the extension of the individual spirit through their clothes. I am hardly a "Fashionista," but I do love creative and intelligent design, thoughtful style, and I appreciate the time it takes to make pieces of great quality. All these things I saw in your book.

So, along with a few things I planned to give away, I bought the young lady and those who were following her home with me, adding them to my collection. I placed them by my beside and before going to bed, I studied their faces and their poses, silently reveling in each person's distinctive elegance. I also learned that my new friend on the cover has a story that is just as remarkable as her style.

So, this is just a note to say thank you. I am inspired by you, I am inspired your work and by the people who capture your interest as much as the young lady on the cover captured mine.

Keep up the great work and happy holidays.

Sincerely,

Ayofemi Kirby
Charlotte, NC

P.S. - I also (now) love your blog.

Free Class Focuses On West African Drumming, Storytelling

by Ayofemi Kirby

Synchronized claps and heavy drumbeats filled Hampton Park Community Life Center in University City when the Ife Cultural Arts Center's Drum for Community class kicked off Dec. 5.

Each week, students will learn how to play the Sangba, Dununba, Kenkeni, and Djembe drums and explore the foundations of West African culture through storytelling.

“The first few classes are about learning how to play as one drum and not 15,” said Allen Boyd, the program’s resident artist and a master percussionist.

“They’re learning all different parts and elements which are from one rhythm and put them all together to create the whole,” he said. “The sum is much greater than the parts.”

In West African countries, drumming is important in building and maintaining communal bonds, an aspect of the culture program leaders hope to share with participants.

Following each drumming session, students eat together and hear traditional West African stories from Obakunle Akinlana, a Yoruba folklorist and founder/executive director of the Ife Cultural Arts Center.

“We want people to come out of their homes and step away from the television and the electronics and go to the essence of the culture and of the music,” Akinlana said. “We want to bring everyone, grandparents, parents and children and show our community that music and culture really does impact people.”

The drumming and storytelling class is free and continues through Feb. 26.

The Hampton Park community is bordered by North Tryon street, WT Harris and University City boulevards. The community center is at 211 Hampton Church Road.

For more information: April Turner, 980-254-3573.

This story was published for Crossroads Charlotte on 12/10/09. To see the original story click here.

Community Connector: Geoff Owen

Crossroads Charlotte occasionally spotlights individuals who are improving the city's social capital.

Geoff Owen, owner of Owen’s Bagel and Deli, is hoping to change the world one bagel at a time. Owen, his employees and his customers have created a place in South End where most people are on a first-name basis and diners can kick back. “Its sort of a place to check your inhibitions at the door,” Owen said. “We’ve always tried to build community into our business.”

Ways that he connects: When the economy took a downturn, Owen set up “job central” in a corner of the deli. Customers were encouraged to stay and use the free Wi-Fi to look for jobs while he served them free soup, tea and coffee. He also donates a percentage of the deli's revenue as well as free food to local nonprofits.

Why he does what he does? “We believe in doing the right thing... Even if its hurts your bottom line, we consider it our contribution.”

Know someone who is a connector for a community?
Nominate that person to be profiled by a Crossroads Charlotte Correspondent. Email his or her name, phone number and email address and a brief description of what they do to Crossroads Charlotte. If your nominee is selected, you will be contacted by a correspondent.

This story was published for Crossroads Charlotte on 12/1/09. To see the original story click here.

Community Connector: Jen Algire, Community Health Services Executive Director

by Ayofemi Kirby

Throughout November, the Crossroads Charlotte Correspondents will spotlight individuals who deserve thanks for what they do to improve the city's social capital.

While health care legislation slowly makes its way through Congress, the staff at Community Health Services (CHS) doesn’t wait to provide free health care services to those who need them the most.

Lead by Executive Director Jen Algire, the team of 25 at CHS provides preventative health care services to the under-insured and the uninsured. With 2,000 volunteers, and millions in local donations, the organization has grown from serving primarily seniors to supporting and teaching all community members on how to advocate for themselves in a doctor's office and beyond.

“Its great to help people get health care,” Algire said. “But we really want people to see what we have to change in the system to see real change.”

One example: "Ask Me Three," a series of questions patients can ask doctors to better understand preventative care and diagnosis.

Why she does what she does?
“People are hurting, but nobody’s talking about people,” Algire said. “We talk about insurers, consumers and providers, but what about people? Me? You? Your next-door neighbor? It’s people who need help, it's people who are hurting."

What's next?
Check out the video for Algire's hopes for Charlotte.

This story was published for Crossroads Charlotte on 11/29/09. To see the original story click here.

Flawless.

Enough said.

Music and dance celebrate American Indian heritage

by Ayofemi Kirby

On Saturday, the beat of drums, singing and dancing filled the oft-quiet halls of the Charlotte Museum of History.

In honor of American Indian Heritage month, the museum opened its doors for Charlotte’s first American Indian Celebration.

Native American performers and storytellers wore costumes adorned with feathers, precious stones and vibrant colors, while attendees of all ages wore jewelry, hairpieces and clothing influenced by Native American traditions.

The day brought visitors from around the state to celebrate the culture of the country’s indigenous people.

“It’s important to celebrate Indian Heritage month in North Carolina,” said Ronda Jones Hughes who traveled from Robeson County for the event.

Hughes is the CEO of Red Path Child and Family Agency and a member of the Lumbee tribe. Her organization encourages Native American families to become foster parents.

“More than half of foster children in Robeson County are Native American,” she said.

Organizers of Saturday’s celebration hoped participants would gain a greater sense of awareness about North Carolina’s Native American community and leave wanting to learn more.

“If you look at the origins of Charlotte, the Catawba land was formed at the trade crossroads and that started with American Indians,” said William Lowry, lead organizer for the event. “But that’s not always how it is told.”

The idea for the day’s celebration developed from a series of community conversations around “We Shall Remain,” a multimedia television series on Native American history that aired on PBS.

“By being here, we hope everyone gets an accurate picture of our culture and our history,” Lowry said. “And we hope that they leave with a desire to learn and to tell the entire story. “

Click here for more photos .

Watch video of dancers from the event below.

This story was published for Crossroads Charlotte on 11/15/09. To see the original story click here.

Gracefully and Appreciatively Humbled

Every now and then I get a little beside myself. I start dwelling in my own head. Maybe I'm bored or dealing with a tough decision. Maybe I feel like I'm moving too fast, not moving fast, doing too much or not doing enough. It all depends on the day.

I'm human. It happens.

But then, seemingly right on time, God sends me a few reminders of what's really important in life and things are placed right back into perspective. This week my reminders came to me through four extraordinary individuals:

1. Wes Moore. Superstar. Moore spoke to students at Queens University about the importance of building a legacy worth living. He also reminded us of how important our friends, family and faith are in to staying true to who we are becoming. Keep an eye out for him. He's great.

2. Antoine Williams, one of the most talented and creative artists I know who, through his art, is bringing awareness of the inequities of systems and the ambiguities that make life worth living to the masses. Check him out at www.rawgoods.org and invest in some art that makes you think.

3. One of my best friends Chad Moore who works with students in Henderson, NC's Citizen Schools. This week, his students lost one of their peers to a fire. Chad found the lessons we all can learn from these courageous kids and shared them with us on Facebook. Worth it.

3. And Dale, a homeless Vet featured on the InvisiblePeople.Tv blog. You can watch his story below.

Click the links and watch the video to learn more about these people and the stories they shared with me. It's worth your time. It was definitely worth mine.

Gracefully and appreciatively humbled.

- Femi

Dale from InvisiblePeople.tv on Vimeo.

** Not long after writing this post, I was sent two more reminders - 21 thank you notes from a 3rd grade classed I helped get a math program with small donation through DonorsChoose.org and a thank you letter from Jen Algire, the Executive Director of Community Health Services, an organization that provides free healthcare to those who can not afford it. Please check them both out. Thanks God.