Human Interest
An Intimate Tour Of Nina Simone’s Childhood Home (Video)
March 20, 2017
That’s what’s up! Four artists (Adam Pendleton, Rashid Johnson, Ellen Gallagher, Julie Mehretu) purchased the house where Nina Simone was born and spent her childhood.
It wasn’t long after the election that this all began to happen, and I was desperate like a lot of people to be engaged, and this felt like exactly the right way.
– Rashid Johnson
Go on a tour (with The New York Times) of Simone’s old home in Tryon, North Carolina, above.
Posted in Celebrity, History, Human Interest, Soul, Videos | 
Tags: Adam Pendleton, birth home of Nina Simone, birthplace of Nina Simone, childhood home of Nina Simone, Ellen Gallagher, Julie Mehretu, New York Times, Nina Simone, NY Times, Rashid Johnson, Surprise Saviors for Nina Simone’s Home, THE DAILY 360, The New York Times, video tour | 
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Marvel’s RiRi Williams Delivers On 3.14 (Pi Day 2017) [Video]
March 17, 2017
Not all heroes wear capes – but some carry tubes (Pi Day 2017)
They don’t make words for how dope this is. Get excited about higher education; esp. about the prospect of attending one of the United States’ most prestigious – M.I.T. They sent out the admissions decision letters on March 14th, or 3.14 (known as Pi Day, for reasons any who have/had any shot of getting into the pinnacle engineering school understand).
And before you non-nerds push a hand up and out and let out a “pssshhhtt, so what?” Recognize the levels of geek-ohol M.I.T. admissions poured into this years batch of Kool-Aid. Dude, Iron Man, dude! Well actually, they put together a 3-minute vignette featuring a Marvel character, an M.I.T. teen prodigy that built her own super suit and subbed for Iron Man when Tony Stark fell ill that time. The character, RiRi Williams (played by MIT student Ayomide F.), picks up a ‘special delivery’ in the video in her Iron Maiden suit. The special delivery? It’s a tube containing someone’s M.I.T. admission letter. Learn more about the backstory after watching the clip above by following the link below.
MORE: MIT ADMISSIONS VIDEO FEATURES BLACK WOMAN SUPERHERO (NEWSONE)
Posted in Comics, Education, Human Interest, Videos | Tags: Ayomide F., Iron Maiden, Iron Man, M.I.T., M.I.T. admissions, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, MIT, MIT admissions, Pi Day, Pi Day 2017, RiRi Williams | No Comments »
The World’s First Food Delivery Robot Is Now Making Deliveries In Washington DC (Video)
March 16, 2017
Hey people. This is happening. They got ‘Wall E’ from the movies (well, it looks like it…anyway) delivering your food now. Get your hoagies & chips, you gyros or whatever brought to you by a robot. Convenience encapsulated in mobile tech form. Rolling your order right on over at a [relatively] speedy 4 miles per hour, programmed not to run into stuff and to arrive safe & secure (like “they’ll email you a code to unlock the delivery case when it arrives” secure) for you to enjoy.
Starship Technology (maker of the deilivery bot) has partnered with Postmates (online ordering company) to make this all happen. Starship says this whole thing is still in its infancy, but this baby is a live baby, baby.
The news story is embedded above. Footage of the robot at work appears after the jump.
Posted in Business, Food, Human Interest, News, Technology, Television, Videos | Tags: food delivery robot, Postmates, Starship Technology | No Comments »
These High Tech Tattoos Can Conduct Electricity (Video)
March 14, 2017
Yoooo! So now we can join the “Justice League” as a Cyborg without all the getting mangled in a near-life-ending accident and being put back together by a dad mad cyber-scientist? Could be cool…
The newest activity tracking device may not even be a device. Austin-based software design firm Chaotic Moon Studios has created a concept prototype for tech tattoos, a circuit that you can wear on the surface of your skin. The components are attached with conductive paint, and can monitor health and activity stats, authorize charges for purchases and many other potential applications.
Yeah, while I’m not a tat guy, some folks who are might get into this. And that Justice League thing… I might go with being a Six-Million Dollar Man or one of the Bionic Six (Google/YouTube it, old school rules).
– @ojones1
Woman Loses 180 Pounds After Doctors Remove Extra Large Tumor (Video)
March 14, 2017
Mary Clancey, 71, over the years, had steadily gained weight to tip the scales at 360 pounds. She worked at a candy counter for the longest time, and short round women run in her family. Getting heavier was just a fact of her life she guessed… until she lost 180 pounds all of a sudden. Now, her diet and activity plans are simple and joyful.
“I can eat everything. I can do everything,†she said. “Life is good and everything is in place. But the story is absolutely insane.â€
The story? Oh, she had a 140-pound tumor and 40 pounds of extra skin removed.
(Yeah, you REALLY should watch that clip above.)
Meet A Muslim (Video)
March 14, 2017
It’s high time for tolerance folks! Hug someone different than you… today (with permission)! I know I am preaching to the choir, because you are on here. Shout to our visitors, extended fam, because y’all “get” a lot of what’s posted here (and it’s still love when you don’t). And I know you’ll get this… I got a li’l choked up right from the start of this… When the lady said, “I am a human. I am a mom.”
Man. My mom is my HEART! Okay…
Yes, this “Meet A Muslim” is all that you’d expect. You probably know and celebrate some or all this in yourselves and in/with your Muslim friends and associates. But maybe play this within earshot of folks who may not ‘get it’ like you do. This is bound to soften a heart and/or open an eye or three. Great short video!
– @ojones1
Posted in Human Interest, Lifestyle, Relationships, Videos | Tags: humanity, Islam, Meet A Muslim, Muslim, We are not them, We are us, We're us | No Comments »
Raise Up: The World is Our Gym (Trailer)
March 13, 2017
You know the crazy pull-ups and push-ups, frontwards and reversed, with acrobatics and flair thrown in there, that you’ve seen them on movie screens and Internet spots? Well, those are street calisthenics… and they have become a movement and a movie. Check it.
An underground urban fitness movement risks losing its identity as a social tool as it rapidly becomes a new international sport.
– Rain Bennett
What you should take away: Parallels to Hip-Hop. Something else comes up from the streets, lives around the way, gets blown up and goes worldwide (good) and commercial (not so good in some ways); and the culture is worried that its true and best self (e.g. its essence) will be lost.
Watch the trailer.
Tiny House Nation: Zack Finds A Toe Brother In Deion Sanders (Season 4, Episode 3 Trailer)
March 10, 2017
Yeah yeah, another dope “Tiny House” but eff that… do you seeeee them dudes’ what-are-THOSE toes though??!! How do you pull fine azz Tracey Edmonds with them sole survivors right there, Deion? Teach! And Zack, damn. Those toes inspire new cuss word combinations: Zack-DAMN maaannn! Hahaaaa!
John and Zack show Deion and Tracy the construction of their new tiny home and discover something interesting along the way in this scene from “600 Sq. Ft. Power-Couple’s Retreat.” #TinyHouseNation
In “Tiny House Nation,†renovation experts and hosts John Weisbarth and Zack Giffin travel across America to show off ingenious small spaces and help new families design and construct their own mini dream homes.
Mr. Trash Wheel May Be Coming To Eat Your Garbage (Video)
March 8, 2017
We are actually more than a bit fascinated/entertained by watching work. Like all you city folk… Know how you take your lunch outside or by the big window and watch that new building construction across the street? Yep. Some folks even travel to gawk at a dam as part of a vacation trip. And while at college (The University Of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, ROLL TIDE), I would sometimes request window seating at a local by-the-river restaurant to have a view of the transport barges drifting by as I dined. Yep… even gazed at the garbage barges. Well, this is something like that. But the video on Mr. Trash Wheel above shows more than just an attractive contraption that draws a crowd as it works; it can do so sustainably, cleaning up the city while running on clean energy. Nice!
The adorable and insanely effective Mr. Trash Wheel may soon be eating your very own city’s trash.
– @ojones1
Posted in Environment, Human Interest, Technology, Videos | Tags: Adam Lindquist, Inverse, Mr. Trash Wheel, sanitation, Solar-Powered, water-powered | No Comments »
Stay Melo: Carmelo Anthony Explores Boxing In Brownsville (Video)
March 8, 2017
I’m a big boxing fan. I just love the fact that it’s mano y mano. May the best man win.
Say that then, Carmelo. On this ep of #StayMelo the baller is off the hardwood and on to the squared circle. Checking out what makes boxers from Brownsville (Brooklyn, NY, USA) different; the “best community for true fighters.”
Brownsville, Brooklyn, has become known for its numerous high rise project buildings, tragic gang violence and world champion boxers with vicious knockouts. Mike Tyson, Zab Judah, Riddick Bowe, Shannon Briggs and countless other world champions all hail from one small section of Brooklyn that encompasses a few square blocks. In this episode of Stay Melo, Carmelo Anthony meets up with WBA Middleweight Champion Danny Jacobs to get a tour of the neighborhood and see what makes this place special. Their journey leads them to a kid named Bruce “Shu Shu” Carrington, who is looking to be the next boxer to put Brownsville on his back.
– VICE Sports
Posted in Celebrity, Human Interest, Series, Sports, Videos | Tags: Boxing, Boxing Mecca, Brooklyn, Brownsville, Carmelo Anthony, Stay Melo, VICE, VICE Sports | No Comments »
Chance The Rapper Speaks On His Frustration Over Chicago Public School Funding (Video)
March 7, 2017
Chance The Rapper clip above; saying he was feeling a kind of way (not the good kind either) after his conversation with the Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner about funding from Chicago Public Schools. Chance is not the first in Hip-Hop to go hard for his hometown, for the kids & community; but the occasion is still too rare among folks with the bully pulpit and the bucks in our culture. And if you peep after the jump, you will see that Chance is putting his money on the table… even as the Governor and his ilk are taking money ($215 million) off it.
Salute to Chance The Rapper. He put up. Hope he doesn’t shut up until the state does right and puts some bread up, too!
– @ojones1
Posted in Activism, Celebrity, Cover Story, Education, Hip-Hop, Human Interest, News, Politics, Videos | Tags: 1 million dollars, ABC News, Arts & Enrichment Programming, Arts And Enrichment Programming, Chance The Rapper, Chance The Rapper Donates $1M, Chance The Rapper Donates $1M to Chicago Public Schools, Chicago Public School, Chicago Public School Funding, CPS, education funding, one million dollars, Press Conference | No Comments »
Classically Beautiful: The Discussion (Docu-Series)
February 23, 2017
Visuals for this “Classically Beautiful” series begins with the NYC discussion and continues after the jump, taking the discussion to New Jersey. Each discussion clip relates multiple perspectives from women who are learning to fully embrace who they are and what they represent.
To the core, this piece is a representation of how we manifest our truths and convictions, how we identify ourselves in the face of adversity, and the power of dialogue. Dialogue so powerful that it can influence, encourage, and inspire us to exist with purpose, or fire. The way that you communicate and the things that are communicated to you will shape and build you for the rest of your life.
– Coal Brown Creative
Gotta love this. There are only so many ways that we can tell our beautiful and incredible sistas how beautiful and incredible they are. Watch as they share how they have learned to tell it, to boldly declare it, to themselves!
Posted in Activism, Human Interest, Series, Videos | Tags: Classically Beautiful, COAL CROWN CREATIVE, New Jersey, New York, NJ, NJ Discussion, NYC, NYC discussion | No Comments »
Witness Account Of The Assassination Of Malcolm X (Video)
February 22, 2017
I heard Brother Malcolm say ‘salaam alaikum’ and next thing I heard were the shots.
– A. Peter Bailey
Powerful personal account, including moments just preceding and following the assassination of activist/icon Malcolm X. The audio alone is powerful, but the pictures and scene captures, overlaid with poignant touches of animation. You’ll feel this. And what you feel… that’s them trying to kill the Human Rights movement.
Damn.
Civil Rights Activist And Icon Dr. Bernard LaFayette On ‘Love Ultra Radio’ (Live Interview Tonight)
February 21, 2017
I felt such a rush, and a potent mix, of emotions once Love Ultra Radio green-lit this interview event. This will be something of a fireside chat with Dr. Bernard LaFayette – a living legend, civil rights warrior, and Kingian scholar (who even today teaches the history and methods of activism and nonviolent protest made known in the States by those aligned with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.). And shout out and respect to the bredren Jah Prince and super-producer Iman Lexington for throwing open the doors and welcoming Dr. Lafayette warmly.
Oh… and that hey-I-know-that-name feeling you are getting… that is because I recently mentioned his name in the opinion piece I posted a few weeks back about the Talledega College marching band playing President Trump’s inauguration (link that here).
Want to know what is so awesome, inspiring, and awe-inspiring? I did not really get to know Dr. LaFayette as the man who boldly walked with MLK Jr. and Jesus Christ since his youth. Nah, I got to know him as my high school principal back in Tuskegee, Alabama. I got to know him as the guy that cheered us on our sideline win, lose or lose badly. And as husband to my late Grandma’s longtime friend and across-the-street neighbor, Mrs. Kate (Bulls) LaFayette, who with my Aunt Tammie (Cottrell), helped me get this all set up for tonight.
Yep, and I got to know Dr. LaFayette as the Reverend who eulogized my beloved Grandma (another Tuskegee Legend) and presided over her home-going a couple of years back. Yeah. Doc took time from the never-ending work of uplifting and educating the people of the world, of ensuring that more and more of us learn to love and respect each other, to even fight for each other… without raising fists or firearms to do so… That man, came to sit with the family; share some memories and food; and wipe away a few tears.
Long enough story made only a bit longer: I am honored to know the man honored with the 2016 Mahatma Gandhi International Award for Reconciliation and Peace; and to know that he is NEVER to busy to talk to us… like he will tonight. I hope you will tune in to Love Ultra Radio tonight at 10pm EST to get to know him better, too. See the flyer above for details on the interview. And check out the linked article below for more info on the Doc.
MORE: CIVIL RIGHTS ICON STILL HAS WORK TO DO (DR. BERNARD LAFAYETTE)
– @ojones1
Posted in Activism, EVENTS, History, Human Interest, Interview, Podcast | Tags: Bernard LaFayette, Bloody Sunday, Dr. Bernard LaFayette, Edmond Pettus Bridge, Kingian scholar, Mahatma Gandhi International Award, Mahatma Gandhi International Award for Reconciliation and Peace, Mahatma Gandhi International Award Honoree, Selma, Selma March, The March Across the Edmond Pettus Bridge | 1 Comment »
Afro-Brazilian Hair Stories – Parts 1 & 2 (Video)
February 21, 2017
All jabs and jokes at the Chris Rock ‘Hair’ Movie aside, Black women’s hair is serious biz – monetary and cultural. This docu-miniseries from Essence mag is focusing on the cultural side. The women are beautiful; Afro-Brizilian beautiful. But some of the stories and struggles they share… not so.
While producing our August global issue in Rio de Janeiro, we interviewed women who are celebrating the “Afro” in Afro-Brazilian. However, their hair journey has been a battle of personal, family and social acceptance because of Brazil’s complicated history with race and identity.
– Essence
Start with Part 1 above, and continue with Part 2 after the jump.
Posted in Fashion, Film, History, Honeyz, Human Interest, Investigation, Lifestyle, Series, Travel, Videos | Tags: Afro-Brazilian, Afro-Brazilian Hair, Afro-Brazilian Hair Stories, Essence, Juliana Luna, Marina Marçal, Natural Hair, Part 1, Part 2 | No Comments »
Smart Money: Millennials & Money (Video)
February 21, 2017
This is the year to level up the #BankBlack and #BuyBlack Movements. Nice work doing so here by OneUnited Bank, the African American Film Critics Association and BMe Community; bringing us their “Smart Money” financial literacy video series. Set to cover topics from saving money to building credit to creating jobs and supporting community development.
Financial literacy and stability, for ourselves and our community. Yes, we STILL can… together!
Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? Well, Watch And Learn! (Video)
February 20, 2017
Now, pay attention… This is some serious personal finance!
How difficult is it to become a millionaire? It’s probably not as hard as you might think, if you plan ahead. Author of “Smart Couples Finish Rich,” David Bach, came up with a chart showing how much money people at different ages should set aside each day in order to save a million dollars at the age of 65.
– Tech Insider
Maybe another takeaway from this: The earlier in life you start the better. So, again, we see that time is a most valuable commodity. If only I had more time (perhaps I could have more millions).
– @ojones1
Posted in Advice, Human Interest, Lifestyle, Videos | Tags: Advice, Become a millionaire by 65, David Bach, Finance, investment, savings, Smart Couples Finish Rich, Tech Insider | No Comments »
Stay Melo: Carmelo Anthony Explores Rio And Its Favelas (Video)
February 20, 2017
Yeah, Melo could have just stayed on the celeb tourist path laid out by the Olympics host committee when he went there to hoop for the USA. But nah man. He had to take the VICE crew out and about and bring back this; another dope ep of #StayMelo
Carmelo Anthony won some hardware when he visited Rio for the Olympics, but he still wanted more out of the trip. In this episode of Stay Melo, we spend a day exploring some of the best views in Brazil and the favelas of Rio.
– VICE Sports
In this episode of #StayMelo, I explore some of the best views in Brazil and the favelas of Rio with @VICESports: https://t.co/xuNS4GZiie pic.twitter.com/p342QwS5hg
— Carmelo Anthony (@carmeloanthony) January 24, 2017
Posted in Celebrity, Human Interest, Series, Sports, Videos | Tags: Carmelo Anthony, Favelas, RIO, Rio de Janeiro, Stay Melo, VICE, VICE Sports | No Comments »
First Ever No-Parachute Jump (Video)
February 20, 2017
Incredible. And crazy! Looks like a good idea… for a Bugs Bunny cartoon… or maybe the next Marvel movie of TV episode. Either way, fantasy has indeed become reality. Above, you can press play and watch the first ever jump, from an airplane to the Earth, pulled off with NO PARACHUTE!
– @ojones1
Posted in EVENTS, Human Interest, Videos | Tags: first ever NO PARACHUTE jump, Luke Aikins, NO PARACHUTE, skydiving | No Comments »
Prison Fighters (Showtime Documentary Trailer)
February 7, 2017
‘Prisoners turn Muy Thai fighters to fight for their freedom’ definitely reads like a logline for a hit series. We assure you, it is not. Think more like ring announcer Jimmy Lennon shouting, “It’s SHOWTIME!” And you will be much closer to truth.
PRISON FIGHTERS: 5 Rounds To Freedom uncovers a shocking practice of liberation in the criminal justice system of Thailand. The SHOWTIME Sports original production examines a fully sanctioned and accredited rehabilitation program called Prison Fight through which convicted criminals can train and compete in fights that lead to early release. Premieres on Friday, Feb. 24 at 8:30PM ET/PT on SHOWTIME.
Posted in Film, Human Interest, Investigation, Sports, Television, Trailer, Videos | Tags: 5 Rounds To Freedom, fight for freedom, muy thai, Prison Fight, PRISON FIGHTERS, Showtime, SHOWTIME Sports | No Comments »
