Ursula Burns, Longtime CEO of Xerox moves on (or got moved)

http://blackamericaweb.com/2016/05/27/little-known-black-history-fact-ursula-burns-and-black-female-ceos/?iframe=true&preview=true

Ursula Burns. This pioneer will be stepping down come year's end as Xerox makes a play to stay relevant with its products in this digital age of impatience.

Whatever they do, this woman was there from the early days of Black interns (1980). She has been moved to head up another division and be chairwoman to the company. I see it as business speak for DEMOTION. Her absence shrinks the ranks of Black female CEOs in big business to ZERO. NIL. ZILCH.

I wonder whose newly-graduated wunderkind needed a job from daddy. So much for seniority and expertise.



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OUTLANDER''S Jamie, Clare, Frank/Black Jack – A menage across time?

All right. I’m gonna put it out there. And I am not the first person to see it. The principals in OUTLANDER are part of a really effed up menage a trois. Takes a big, ole breath* Clare has sex with 20^th century Frank. Clare has sex with 18^th century Jamie. 20^th century Frank has never had sex with 18^th Jamie, BUT…20^th century Frank ‘s ancestor, 18^th century Black Jack, has had sex with Jamie (Rape is the correct term; can’t put lipstick on that pig; also add in mental abuse).   And Jamie? Well boyfriend has had 18^th and 20^th century Clare, never been with 20^th century Frank and was raped by 18^th century Black Jack. Let’s just say he has been had by all.

It’s a fan fic writer’s wet dream. I am certain myriad sexual permutations, of Clare/Jamie/Jack/Frank, exist out in Cyberland. Horrid, humorous, nice, hard-core. I am certain some version exists where they all get along, hop between dimensions and live in some happy, BDSM-lovin’ household where their sole concerns are:"are there enough bannocks and rope?" 

I am also certain some soul has found a way around the space time continuum so he/she can pen a version of Jack swiving his descendant, Frank. With Frank liking it better than being with Clare. Oh, I am sure imaginations have run amuck.

Yep, it’s Jamie, Clare, Frank/Black Jack for the win, in a crowded marriage ‘til death do they part and beyond, for diehard fans/fan fic writers.

Write On. Write On, gentle writer. Um, er, just don’t show me. 

the dysfunctinal mess known as a "love triangle."

Retro Rights - Yuri Kochiyama and Malcolm X

I've highlighted both of these people before and rightly so. I'm highlighting them again. Today is the birthday of both Yuri Kochiyama and Malcolm X. Two folks from really different backgrounds who found common ground in fighting for social justice. Ms. Kochiyama was a "guest " at one of the American internment camps set up for the corralling of Americans of Japanese descent when WWII broke. Not seen as "American" these citizens were herded into these camps. UGH! The one her family was sent to was in Jerome, Arkansas. It fashioned her view of justice the rest of her life. She became instrumental in the Civil Rights Movement of the 60s. Ms. Kochiyama passed in 2014 at the age of 93. Google honors her today with their doodle!

Malcolm X was born this day too. He would have been 91. See my thoughts on him in a previous post.

So different. So alike. Happy Birthday to both!

Dr. Marie M. Daly - the 1st African-American female to earn a Ph.D in chemistry in 1947

http://blackamericaweb.com/2016/05/12/little-known-black-history-fact-marie-m-daly/

Born April 16, 1921. Dr. Marie M. Daly.

Very sweet-looking lady. Extremely intelligent lady. What a wall of ignorance she must have encountered in her pursuit of education and in being a trail-blazer.







info courtesy: black america web

PORTALS PROJECT is a go!

THE PORTALS PROJECT is LIVE, people! Go download your FREE copy at the link of your choice below. Hey, it's exciting. It's Sci-fi. It's free and I'm in it.


ibooks: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/portals/id1111741504?ls=1&mt=11 
Nook: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/portals-lyn-brittan/1123772944?ean=2940153237411 
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Portals-One-Lyn-Brittan-ebook/dp/B01FIFE7FA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1462991948&sr=8-1&keywords=B01FIFE7FA 
Kobo: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/portals-13 
GooglePlay: https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Lyn_Brittan_Portals?id=HhwiDAAAQBAJ

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

Happy Mother's Day to all! Even if your mom is no longer in this realm, if you are one or are hoping to be one, or are seen as one.

I'll let you in on a little secret. Matilda, known as Mattie in my sci-fi series THE FELIG CHRONICLES, is the mom of my heroine, Tina. This ultra-cool, frank mom is fashioned on my mother. Matilda is every inch the re-incarnation of my mom. My mom, Pearl, passed in 2004 and it was a rough transition for her. It hit me terribly hard. To get through my grief, I wrote, and in writing I was able to live and and breath again. I honor the memory of Pearl by putting her on the page. And she does not fail me in death just as she didn't in life. When penning Mattie, I was able to smile again because her actions, manners, appearance, speech and mindset ARE Pearl. My mom was a straight-shooting, take-no-prisoners, cut-the bs type. But she was loving, meticulously turned out and understanding. Just like my grand (her mom), Pearl could smell a lie a mile away. She imbued me with the same ability. I miss her but whenever I write another installment of my series, Mattie channels Pearl perfectly. Thanks, Mom. I love you. Happy Mother's Day!    

THE PORTALS PROJECT - The brainstorming result of 3 Sci-fi authors (No, not me but I am in this anthology project)

https://smartgirlslovesfr.com/2016/05/06/can-you-recommend-a-good-scifi-romance/

Hey Folks! I've been sitting on this for a few weeks but now it's OK to spill. I am one of the Sci-fi romance authors featured in the Portals Project. These 4 volumes contain the first chapter of a SFR author's book, be it the first in a series or a standalone. Heat levels range from mild to super hot. These samplers give readers a taste of an author they might have been interested in reading but was not sure about buying. Kinda like a "portal" into a genre and/or a new-to-you writer. And what are the best parts? It's 4 volumes long (or short, since they only contain the 1st chapter of a book); they are in digital formats and they are FREE! Learn all about it at the link above.

The power team of authors Laurie A. Green, Veronica Scott and Pauline B. Jones accomplished this task. Thank you, ladies. My contribution is in the first book up - PORTALS, VOLUME ONE, out May, 17th. Delve into a portal and get lost!

Afeni Shakur - Black Panther, Activist, Philanthropist and yes, mother of Tupac

Afeni Shakur (Jan 10, 1947 - May 2, 2016) was the mother of Tupac but was a force in her own right. She acted as her own lawyer when accused of taking part in bombings attributed to the Black Panthers. A year after her son's killing, she founded Tupac Amaru Shakur Foundation, from the proceeds of her son's posthumous records, to provide art programs for young people. She then built Amaru Entertainment, the holding company for all of her son's unreleased material, unreleased material that she had to fight Death Row Records for in court. Her son was talented but this woman stayed in the background. People do tend to remember the player more than the coach. 

Not a shy, retiring flower but not a shrew either, this lady could get things done. All the while having given birth to a poet. Actress Danai Gurira of The Walking Dead is set to portray her in a Tupac biopic. Fitting choice, Hollywood! Were you really thinking for a change? Or was Zoe Saldana busy?

THROWBACK BANDS! BRASS CONSTRUCTION, BRICK, B T EXPRESS

More under-rated gems from the 70s.

Brass Construction was a funk band from Brooklyn, NY formed in 1968. Sampled by groups today, their hits include:
Movin' - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UzsUd37xPXo
Changin' - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NcAzavhhY4c
Get Up to Get Down - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AfteiP1qaaE






Brick was formed in Atlanta, GA in '72 and was a great melding of jazz and funk and reigned during the 70s. Hits include:
Dazz -https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kpr9qvuodVA 
Ain't Gonna Hurt Nobody -  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ZQ246aEK5w




B T Express was a funk/disco band and part of the "Brooklyn Sound" of the 70s. Originally called Brooklyn Transit Express, they tussled for top spots on the R-n-B charts with Brick and Brass Construction all through the Me Decade. Hits include:
Do It (Til You're Satisfied) -  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=90QXhl95qP8 
Express - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lutXQO3GdFo
Close to You - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZOuERhQiwY





Oh man. What can I say. I loved, love, those bands with 15 guys on stage, real instruments and a tight sound. Kids, you missed some danceable, memorable music that every person my age in my old neighborhood had their first kiss to, their first slow drag to, their first walk holding hands to. And NO I will not divulge what other firsts occurred. That is none of your business. Some things are not meant to be transparent!  Enjoy the vids!