Initiative for #QualityACCESS launched to address food deserts in underserved areas of New York

by Brother Jesse Muhammad

The epidemic of food deserts throughout the country is a serious issue that needs even more attention. This is why I was excited about an email I recently received from my longtime brother and friend Hajj Hasaun Muhammad regarding the launching of the Quality Access Initiative.

Beginning in New York, The Quality Access (#QualityACCESS) grocery model is dedicated to providing food deserts in inner-city areas with better access to quality, fresh and natural food and household products. According to the above video, over 23 million Americans live more than a mile away from a supermarket.

"Essentially, we're taking a Trader Joe's approach by providing quality foods at affordable prices to underserved communities (food deserts). Rather than outfitting "big-box" stores, we will roll out in smaller locations to avoid massive operational expenditures- such as high rent- and direct capital to more efficient uses," said Brother Hasaun in the email. "The aim is to establish a sustainable business model that can be scaled for rapid growth to become a significant competitor in the grocery industry."

According to the official website, www.SupportQualityAccess.com, the goals and objectives are to provide customers with the freshest, organic (and whenever possible pesticide-free) fruits and vegetables; offer an assortment of nutritional foods, including items without artificial colors, flavors or additives; sell eco-friendly cleansers, pure natural supplements, and gentle, cruelty-free body care products; and support local and organic farms and suppliers.

Hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons is also putting his support behind the initiative. To capitalize this innovative grocery model, an Indiegogo.com funding campaign launched this week to reach a minimum goal of $175,000. You can find an overview of #QualityACCESS on the website: www.SupportQualityAccess.com and the Indiegogo.com page.

In all the years I have known Brother Hasaun, he has always aligned himself with initiatives that serve the people! With #QualityACCESS, he's continuing that pattern. I encourage all of my blog readers to read more about this and if you're down with the cause, make a contribution!

Related Blogs:

• An Oasis in the 'Food Desert': Houston Mosque Launches Food Cooperative to Bring Fresh Fruit and Produce to Third Ward
• A Celebration of Health & Wellness: Marcus Garvey Liberation Garden Hosting Festival in Houston 
• Jasiri X collaborates with SHIFT Demand to release "SNACKS KILL" video to promote healthier eating: "If it's all artificial can you even call it food?" 
• A Chicken Coma? KFC ordered to pay $8.3 Million for causing brain damage to a customer 

Dillard President Asks Dr. Dre Why He Gave $35 Million to USC and Not a Black College

(Dr. Dre and Dillard University president Walter M. Kimbrough)

by Dr. Boyce Watkins 

(Source: YourBlackWorld.net) Dr. Dre is one of the most successful entertainers in history, earning hundreds of millions of dollars by making great music. Much of this music moves because he has been able to successfully package urban/black culture, selling it to audiences around the world. One of the questions some have about those who readily use their blackness for profit is the following: What are you giving back to those who gave you so much?

It’s hard to know exactly what Dr. Dre is doing for the black community, but we all know where he made his greatest gift. Dr. Dre and music producer Jimmy Lovine recently announced a whopping $70 million dollar donation to USC to create a new degree. The program is one that pulls together liberal arts, graphic arts, business, music and technology. Dr. Dre’s donation is the largest ever given by any African American in history, and oddly enough, the money is going into the hands of rich white people.

As I prepared to give the commencement address at Simmons College, a growing HBCU in Kentucky with a very rich history, I heard a story about a group of ex-slaves who pooled their money to buy four acres of land so they could educate future generations. Without sacrifices like these, the school would not be giving so much to the community today. The school’s extraordinary president, Dr. Kevin Cosby, has not taken a paycheck for his work for the last eight years and readily speaks of how the school is located in one of the poorest districts in America. He sees his contribution as a chance to lift up the community around him, rather than simply milk the community’s resources.

If I could transplant Dr. Cosby’s brain into Dr. Dre’s body, black America would be changed forever. Also, had those ex-slaves been naive enough to give all of their money to the big white university down the street, the impact of their contribution would be minimal at best. One of the reasons that black Americans struggle economically is because we’ve been locked out of economic opportunities, while massive institutions like USC hoard the wealth to protect their own (take a look at the very low percentage of African Americans they hire or admit as students). Simultaneously, when we do have access to the resources necessary to begin our building process, we don’t feel inclined to support those who look like us. That’s the difference between the black and the Jewish communities: They teach their children to generously target their resources to protect them against oppression.

Some may argue that Dr. Dre can do whatever he wants with his money, and this point is valid: No one has the right to tell any of us what to do – a child has no obligation to care about his mother, a husband has no real obligation to provide for his wife, the list goes on and on. But the truth is that if you choose not to care about your community, then don’t expect your community to care about you. [READ MORE]

Deadly Tornado Devastates Moore, Oklahoma; Twitter hashtag #PrayForOklahoma garners social media efforts

In this video, a large, violent tornado plows through Moore, Oklahoma on May 20, 2013. According to reports, at least 50 are dead with several dozen children still missing after the tornado struck a local elementary school.

Minister Farrakhan addresses Detroit City Council: "Rule in righteousness..Then the city will live again.”

by Brother Jesse Muhammad

If you've been following the news the last few years, Detroit has undergone some serious turmoil. It's so bad that some people are now calling it "Ghost Town" versus "Mo Town" because of the sharp decrease in the population.

Recently, a beacon of light spoke in the city on May 16 and 17, in hopes of revitalizing the Black community to fight for their hometown. That beacon of light was the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan. I had the opportunity to watch several of his messages there via the Internet and this one below is from May 17 at the Detroit City Council. That is the same city where The Nation of Islam in the West was born.

“But we come back at a time of intense darkness. We come back at a time when there’s great despair among the inhabitants of the city of Detroit. We come back at a time when the footprints of black people and white people in Detroit is shrinking," said Minister Farrakhan.

He also emphasized, “I charge the leadership with not being enemies of division, following ego and self-gratification – thinking there’s something bigger in the world than yourself. And those who love graft and corruption, who would rob from the treasury to enrich yourself, you can’t take it with you. A heart attack in your office and the undertaker will put you 6 feet in the ground. You can’t take the mansion that you were stealin’ for to get. You can’t take the riches that you lied and stole for. All you get is a little piece of land! And Solomon said all of this is vanity.”

“Don’t rule in stupidity, rule in corruption, rule in wickedness, rule in weakness, rule in vanity. Rule in righteousness, then the city will live again," he said. “A thief cannot be trusted and those of you who like money, and you would rob yourself and the future of your people for a few dollars should be ashamed of yourself.”

“You got to have a fighting spirit for life!...You can’t just lay down and die!”

....Click below and watch the entire message.

The Time and What WE Must Do (Part 2): "We all have a purpose and a role to play."

Guest post by Willie Muhammad

During this blog entry about the Time and What WE Must Do, I would like to draw some lessons from the Story of Noah and the Flood. For those who may not be familiar with this story, Noah was a prophet who was ordered by God to build an Ark that would be used as a place of refuge from a great flood that He would use to wipe out a world where every inclination of its inhabitants hearts were toward evil. God asked Noah to warn everyone and to get a male and female of every living creature. Only Noah and his family (with the exception of a son) and the animals he gathered avoided the flood. As students of the Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad, we don’t take this story literally as many others do. This is not the place to go into our reasons why, I just wanted to state that fact.

As it relates to the Time and What WE Must Do as a Nation of Believers, we must understand that like each of the animals brought into the Ark, we all have a purpose and a role to play in the establishment and building of this Nation. We must realize that we have been called and missioned by God. I once heard the Honorable Louis Farrakhan say, “The answer to every problem we face in the NOI is right within the ranks.” 

With that being the case what are we waiting on? I know many have said they have been stifled by people in authority. This may be true, but there is another problem which is just as deadly. The real problem is expecting someone else to have the same passion for, and to implement an idea that Allah has placed in your heart and mind. When leadership doesn’t do it, they are accused of hindering your plans. Allah says that He created nothing without aim and purpose. With that being the case have you asked yourself, “What is your aim and purpose for being called to the Nation of Islam, and am I fulfilling my aim and my purpose?” Dear family we have no right to complain about something unless we are going to do something to change what we are complaining about. 

Lastly, what's happening to some of our pride? Some of us act and talk as if we forgot that God Himself came and has given us the solution to our and the world’s problems. Some of us in our talk and acts have become quite comfortable in finding a permanent residence on the Poor/Worst Part of the Earth. The Poor/Worst Part can represent troubling experiences we have had in the mosque with officials or other believers.

If we take time to reflect on the history, we will find that there has NEVER been a utopian atmosphere in any of our mosque/temples since the very beginning. There was drama even when the Savior Himself was present. Despite us never having this utopian atmosphere there is still plenty that can benefit our people. I close suggesting to all who take the time to read this article to go and read the following verses Galatians 4:1-7 (New Testament) and Surah 16:66 (Holy Quran). Galatians explains why we have not taken hold of our foretold inheritance, we have not matured. Surah 16, An-Nahl “the Bee” reminds us that even in the worst of situations there is still good.

In closing, always remember, that even though the Ark was far from a luxury cruise ship. It was SUFFICIENT enough to save those who obeyed the call. The same is true with this maturing baby Nation in America that has a pure drink.

(Follow Student Minister Willie Muhammad on Twitter @BroWM46. Visit the official New Orleans mosque website @ noineworleans.org)

Read Part 1

Mexican authorities say arrests made in killing of Malcolm Shabazz

(FinalCall.com) - News reports have been circulated at Final Call press time that two men Alejandro Perez de Jesus, 24, and David Hernandez Cruz, 24, were charged with the beating death of Malcolm Shabazz, 28, the grandson of Minister Malcolm X in Mexico City. The Mexico City Attorney General, Rodolfo Rios was quoted saying that Mr. Shabazz died from blows to his head, ribs and jaw, according to reports.

Mexican authorities also reportedly noted that they still haven’t figured how Mr. Shabazz’s body came to be dumped on the street, saying the bar where he was allegedly drinking with an associate had its cameras facing the wall. Mr. Rios said rumors that Mr. Shabazz had jumped from the window were untrue.

A message on the blog under Malcolm Shabazz’s name stated as of May 12 his body was lying in in the Institute of Forensic Science in Mexico. “The family is offering no comment at this time,” Herb Boyd a reporter for the Amsterdam 

News explained to The Final Call in a text message on May 13. “Clearly, there are more questions than answers at this point,” offered Mr. Boyd.

Mary Ratcliff, associate publisher of the San Francisco Bayview Newspaper told The Final Call that Mr. Shabazz’s funeral would be either May 16th or 17th in Oakland.

“People believe It is safer, better and a more positive atmosphere here than on the East Coast,” Ms. Ratcliff said. You know, he spent a lot of time in The Bay area, she added.

“I was blessed with Malcolm’s beautiful smile. He was smart as a whip,” Ms. Ratcliff noted, adding, “People were so hopeful that Malcolm Shabazz would be a positive force in the world.”

Malcolm Shabazz, the son of Qubilah Shabazz, the second eldest of six daughters from the marriage of Malcolm X and Dr. Betty Shabazz, was reportedly in Mexico meeting with businessman, activist Miguel Suarez, a co-founder of RUMEC (Revolutionary United Mexicans in Combat), a California-based grassroots labor organization that worked to build Black and Latino unity, who had been deported in April. [READ MORE]

Procrastination Got You On The Ropes? Come Out Swinging Today!

By Jesse Muhammad

Another week presents itself for you to do something extraordinary. Another day to do something impactful and continue to leave your mark.

Every week you mentally rehearse your agenda. Is it a major deal to close? Is it a huge speaking engagement? Is it a closing deadline that you have procrastinated on until the last minute? How about a story or book that needs to be completed?

Whatever the mountain may be, you look in the mirror and say "I can do this. I am ready to conquer". You're focused. You're confident. You know you have the power to execute.

Then it happens.

You come out the blocks quickly on Monday morning but all of a sudden your energy level is affected. Your positive attitude takes a drastic turn. Your calm demeanor has been altered.

What happened? Your ever present laziness got you in quicksand. Procrastination got you on the ropes. You're mentally throwing in the towel. You're sinking back into mediocrity. You can't seem to move out.

So how do you cope?

You resort back to doing the things you like to do instead of doing the things you need to do now. You check your Facebook page to maybe see who left a message on your wall. You send out a few Twitter messages in hopes someone will just retweet you so you can feel "important" again. Or maybe you turn on a movie on your laptop, start indulging in unhealthy snacks, put on your favorite song or call up a friend to talk the time away. You may even check your Blackberry to see who sent you a text message to spark an insignificant chat.

Valuable time lost.

Self-imposed distractions now become your source of comfort. You make excuses for yourself and "there is always tomorrow" becomes your post-it note affirmation.

Hold up! Was life meant to be spent in a constant cycle of procrastination like this? Of course not. You know that but once momentum is broken its a challenge to regain it and maintain it. But it is doable.

Don't wait, go ahead and knock out those goal. Hard work often pays off after time but laziness always pays off now.

If 2013 is "your year", no need to broadcast it. Show it in your actions. Stay in the ring champ.

---@Brother Jesse

80 Years of Grace: Celebrating the birth anniversary of Minister Louis Farrakhan

CHICAGO (FinalCall.com) - The phrase “party with a purpose” took on a whole new meaning as the Nation of Islam gathered to celebrate the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan’s 80th birth anniversary on May 11.

The highlight of the weekend-long event was a highly exclusive preview of the documentary chronicling Minister Farrakhan’s life and music. 

The approximately 2-1/2 hour long documentary was executive produced by his eldest son Joshua Farrakhan. Michael Amir Muhammad was the director. And Jaami Muhammad, Jihad F. Muhammad and Elijah “EK” Karriem helped produce the film. It strategically and skillfully showcases a fact that still shocks many when they learn it:  Minister Farrakhan is a master classical violinist.

Minister Farrakhan expressed he just wanted to give something on his birthday in the gift of his music that would help show the universality of his message, that people often hear in word, but not in his music.

Past and present occurrences evidence that people all over the world love Minister Farrakhan and seek his guidance.  

That includes not just his followers in the Nation of Islam, or Black people, or people of color, ignoring age-old and outdated claims by his enemies and the enemies of God, that he is a racist. 

Some came with ease and others of these such people came on lean and broke down camels, in efforts of tremendous sacrifice, to honor the day he was born and enjoy events of the historical occasion. Christians, Muslims, Jews, White, Black, rich and poor, educated and the so-called unlearned descended on Mosque Maryam, the Nation of Islam’s National Center for the occasion.

Many of their gifts lay in their heartfelt remarks about how Minister Farrakhan has touched their lives.  Gifts came in the form of music and song by artist Zzaje and Rev. Mitty Collier and Norman 3X Butler.  One came in the form of a poem by Harold Power, a powerful spoken word artist and also brother to Nation of Islam Student National Secretary Berve Muhammad. 

“So many people gave cards and kind words, which I deeply appreciate, but I did not want anything on this day,” Minister Farrakhan in a hushed tone.  He’d intended to be in solitude and meditation and reflection, he shared.

He was the gift-giver that day. His offering was not a secret.  People knew he was sharing a documentary.   But, the magnitude, significance and impact of his gift rendered his guests speechless and it took them through an array of emotions high, low and everything in between, according to their feedback given to The Final Call and displayed in presentations after the viewing. [READ MORE]

Malcolm Shabazz, grandson of Malcolm X, killed in Tijuana

(Photo credits: http://www.malcolmshabazz.blogspot.com)

(Blogger's Note: This is very sad news. I had an opportunity to meet Brother Malcolm Shabazz a few years ago when he spoke in Houston. He had a great spirit and we had a wonderful dialogue. May Allah be pleased with him.)

(Source: New York Amsterdam News) The Amsterdam News has learned, and the U.S. Embassy has confirmed, that Malcolm Shabazz - grandson of Malcolm X, was killed in Mexico. Several reports around the circumstances of his death, stilled unconfirmed, have rumored that he died early Thursday morning, May 9, 2013 from injuries sustained after he was thrown off a building or shot as he was being robbed in Tijuana.

"I'm confirming, per U.S. Embassy, on behalf of family, the tragic death of Malcolm Shabazz, grandson of Malcolm X.Statement frm family 2 come," wrote close friend of the Shabazz family Terrie M. Williams on twitter. Family members have confirmed his death and that he was in Mexico but have not confirmed the exact location or circumstances of how Malcolm Shabazz died. Malcolm Shabazz is survived by two daughters, his mother and several aunts.

[Read More]

What is The Truth About UFOs? Citizen Hearing on government secrecy, so-called UFOs yield powerful testimony

WASHINGTON (FinalCall.com) - Having the prestigious home for Americas media in the Nation’s Capitol host its conference, complete with former lawmakers, was a clear attempt by the host Paradigm Research Group and conference organizer Stephen Bassett to curb ridicule and keep focus on government secrecy and its belief that so-called UFOs are known—despite government lies and skeptics.

The Citizen Hearing On Disclosure, held here April 29 to May 3, included a former Canadian defense minister, a former astronaut, the former top Federal Aviation Administration official, a onetime Ministry of Defense official in the United Kingdom, Air Force veterans, other U.S. servicemen, and domestic and foreign pilots, scientists, researchers, authors, writers, filmmakers, and witnesses from America, England, China, Russia, Canada, Brazil, Chile and South American countries spoke.

Modeled after congressional hearings, witnesses delivered 30 hours of testimony covering a wide range of thought and concern about so-called UFOs and whether the crafts were of this world or from elsewhere. Opinions were strong on all ends—some simply wanted an explanation or investigation of things unexplained—others spoke of animal mutilations, alien crash landings and creatures from other planets under U.S. government control.

The point of agreement was the U.S. government and other governments need to share what is known about sightings and crafts and the U.S. Congress should hold hearings on a subject of interest to millions of Americans—whether their concerns are the origin of the crafts or an ever-increasing tendency to classify and deny public access to information. 

“I believe, unfortunately, that the military industrial complex is the reason—from Truman and Roosevelt, Reagan, Clinton, and Carter presidential level—that has brought us to this place, which I believe is detrimental to the universe and detrimental to our people,” said former Detroit congresswoman Carolyn Kilpatrick, who was among former lawmakers that conducted the hearings for the Paradigm Research Group. [READ MORE]

Minister Farrakhan cites "Open Letter"; comments on the Jay-Z & Beyonce's Cuba Trip Controversy

Minister Farrakhan comments on Jay-Z & Beyonce's Cuba trip and Jay's response to the controversy. Minister Farrakhan's comments were made during Part 17 of his weekly message, 'The Time & What Must Be Done' released May 4, 2013.

THE ROOT announces the launch of The Chatterati; up-to-the-minute themes trending among Twitter’s Black audience

(Blogger's Note: I received this information via email. I checked it out and it's a very interesting tool. This was definitely worthy sharing.)

Washington, D.C.—THE ROOT announced the launch of The Chatterati, a digital tool sponsored by Toyota Avalon that presents up-to-the-minute information about the themes trending among Twitter’s black audience. Aiming to provide a valuable public resource, THE ROOT’s The Chatterati will offer critical insight into the topics, storylines and hashtags the African American social media community is tuning into, a community that indexes significantly higher than other groups in terms of digital connectivity.

The Chatterati was created to harness the conversations among the black community on Twitter. In a recent Pew Research Center study of Social Media Users, 26% of black Internet users surveyed said they used Twitter, compared to 14% of white users and 19% of Hispanics. In real-time, The Chatterati will present the top hashtags, top stories, top retweets and the most favorited tweets among the black community on Twitter. THE ROOT will showcase social news stories within The Chatterati, as well as highlight staff picks of Twitter’s best photos, most inspiring and funny tweets, and more, all being shared by black Twitter users. 

“THE ROOT’s ambition has always been to shine a spotlight on the wide variety of views that African Americans bring to any subject,” said Donna Byrd, Publisher of THE ROOT. “The Chatterati fits right in with that mission, putting into clear focus what the black community is paying attention to on this critical social media platform. We’re thrilled to be able to offer this important resource to our readers and the community at large, and we’re grateful to Toyota for acknowledging the significance of this endeavor.” 

“We’re excited to sponsor The Chatterati,” said Dionne Colvin, National Media Manager, Toyota Motor Sales, Inc. “This is an excellent example of innovative, forward thinking and it aligns with the spirit of Toyota Avalon.”

Designed by Cainkade Digital, The Chatterati represents the next step in innovation in THE ROOT’s reporting and it’s now live at http://www.theroot.com/the-chatterati. Those interested in a daily recap from The Chatterati can sign up for the The Chatterati e-newsletter, which will launch in a few weeks and be powered by THE ROOT.

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