X's and O'x - A Football Love Story - It's A Collision Sport (Not a Contact Sport)

What does the Berkeley Repertory Theatre (BRT) and the National Football League (NFL) have in common?  Both institutions LOVE football. One week from today, the NFL will host its biggest party of the year, the 49th Super Bowl in Glendale, Arizona; and for the next five weeks, the Berkeley Rep will run its world premiere of X’s and O’s (A Football Love Story), written by playwright KJ Sanchez and co-creator Jenny Mercein.  While gridiron gladiators--the New England Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks--battle it out on the field, the Berkeley Rep Theater will present a “hard-hitting docudrama that examines our country’s passion for a game that is both generous and dangerous, life-giving yet lethal,” noted Sanchez. Photo: Raymond Chester (Raiders), Tim Anderson (49ers), Delvin Williams (49ers) and Guy McIntyre (49ers)

During opening night, Jan. 23rd, X’s and O’s, sprinkled with minor bits of profanity, takes its audience through a football time capsule which begins in the early 1800’s and travels to present-day.  The play offers a different view of America’s favorite and most idolized sport, and focuses on what professional football and its long-term consequences are really about.  Directed by Michael Leibert Artistic Director Tony Taccone, X’s and O’s (A football Love Story) is as “visceral, emotional, and highly theatrical as the game itself.”  While we {the public} are entertained by the ‘thrill of victory and agony of defeat’ of teams pitted against each other in sometimes gruesome, physical combat, this play performance looks at football through the lens of the players, their families and the fans, to fully examine our cultural values around the game.  “It’s a story that presents both the beauty and brutality of the game and how it ties so profoundly into our identity as Americans.”

A major portion of the play emphasizes how the’ wear and tear’ of football takes a toll on athletes’ bodies, particularly when players suffer head trauma.  While football may be a way out of poverty for some, and is known to relieve stress for others, it’s also a sport that has lifelong physical challenges on the players themselves.  Concussions, considered contusions to the head, takes a devastating toll on these players, especially those who have had several concussions throughout their career.  Over 20 years ago the average weight of a linebacker was 235 and now it's 325.  Having that much more weight landing on a player's body can be unbearable, however you dare not show the feeling of pain on the field.  X's and O's describes a situation where a player was on the field wearing a cast for a broken arm, and a hit by that player caused a kidney rupture, given the hit was with the casted arm. {Photo: Khary L. Moye, Actor and Understudy)

The full-contact sport (referred to in this play as a collision sport) can bring riches to some (the industry now boasts annual revenues of $9 billion dollars--the most lucrative in the world) and misery, depression and even death to others.  X’s and O’s examines the philosophy of football and its effect on life itself.  Mercein, the daughter of Chuck Mercein, a Super-Bowl winning former professional player, noted that she sees a lot of parallels between live theatre and live sports. {Photo: Eric Wright, 49ers}

X's and O'x runs through March 1, 2015 at the BerkeleyRepertory Theatre, 2025 Addison Street, Berkeley.
 

Written by: Y'Anad Burrell and Clifford L.  Williams

Judy Smith - The REAL Olivia Pope of ABC7 Scandal

I have been a fan of ABC7's Scandal and the lovely Kerry Washington since the season started. However, meeting the real Olivia Pope, that would be JUDY SMITH, made the excitement much for enticing. I met Ms. Smith about 5 months ago at an event and was so happy to see how engaging, unassuming, delightful and unapologetic she was about her wit and intelligence.  

On Jan. 20th, Ken Coleman, technology giant and Special Advisor to Andreesen Horowitz, hosted a fireside chat with Judy Smith in their Menlo Park, CA office.  The chemistry between Ms. Smith and Ben Horowitz during the Q&A was the best I've seen in a long time.  When asked about how her career started, Judy shared that she had to be reminded by her childhood friend, affectionately known as 'beanhead', that her conflict resolution skills began at the age of 15 as she was always the neighborhood 'we can all work this out' negotiator. 

Judy's career in conflict resolution went through the roof right after her tenure as special assistant to the press secretary during President George H.W. Bush administration in 1991.  During her time with President Bush, some of her major work included PR guidance during the Clarence Thomas nomination, PR consulting during the Gulf War and dealing with US Kuwaiti relations.

While many saw the writing on the wall that President Bush would not be reelected, Judy stayed the course until the very end instead of leaving and looking for employment like many.  It was that tenacity, dedication and loyalty that lead to President Bush making several phone calls to key influentials in the political arena, sharing the stellar work Judy performed under his administration, that her phone began to ring constantly with requests for her services.  Since that time, Smith & Associates has been the most sought after crises management firm in the nation and beyond. 

Judy's most fascinating client was former Mayor Marion Barry.  According to Judy, even in light of his indiscretions and 6-month federal prison sentence for drug possession and use, Mr. Barry remained a 'people' person and very much connected to the community. Despite his history of political and legal controversies, Barry was a popular and influential figure in the local political scene.  After his release, he was elected to the Council of the District of Columbia in 1992, and ultimately returned to the mayoralty in 1994, serving from 1995 to 1999. 

Judy Smith's book, "Good Self, Bad Self: How to Bounce Back from Personal a Crisis is a must read.

 
And go!

Post by Glass House Communications.

Grammy Award Winner and Songbird DENIECE WILLIAMS - Feb. 8th

Intel Invests $300M Towards Diversity in Technology while Microsoft Struggles With an Inclusive Workforce

"It's time to step up and do more. It's not good enough to say we value diversity," says Intel's CEO Brian Krzanich.  Intel will aim for its U.S. workforce at all levels to mirror the talent available in America in the next five years, and Krzanich said the compensation of Intel leaders would be directly tied to the progress they make in reaching that diversity goal.  "This isn't just good business. This is the right thing to do," he said.

While Intel should absolutely be applauded for this initiative, a huge red flag is their first step, according to Krzanich, which is putting together the structure for connecting managers' pay to diversity stats and that part of the program will be implemented for 2015 pay.  Money certainly talks so who is to say the managers' efforts will be truly a party of Intel's 'culture of diversity' as opposed to keeping their monetary compensation steady and growing.  Anything tied to money will influence behavior so does it become a game of just 'filling in the numbers', as opposed to truly believing that Diversity & Inclusion is 'just good business sense'.    Read More About Intel's Initiative!

In mid-December, Microsoft quietly released its EEO-1 form, a federal filing that outlines employment data by race and gender according to job type. While Microsoft has diversity in its highest ranks, including an African-American Board Chairman, an Indian CEO and a female CFO, the overall statistics are less flattering: the company is 60.6% white and 71% male, according to its EEO-1 form.  Read more!

I have been passionate about Diversity & Inclusion (affectionately called D&I) since my graduate studies at Golden Gate University when I chose to do my thesis on Change Management.  It's been a 'lifestyle' and not just the hot topic of the year or month.  While D&I can be challenging to grow in any industry (i.e. technology, art, education, etc.), it's the consistency of the effort that brings the most impact and not an effort that has a 'designated time period'.  If there is not an 'intentional plan in place that is part of a business model, company goals, human resource training, then results will come more fluidly and organically.  This is the best approach to building any effective and impactful culture of diversity and inclusion.

Diversity is being invited to the party.  Inclusion is being asked to dance at the party.  It's time to dance more!  And go!

Sunday Nite Live! Tribute & Celebration of Life - Bishop Gordon A. Humphrey, Jr. - Sunday, Jan. 18th

The Sunday Nite Live! Tribute and Celebration of the Life services for the late Bishop Gordon A. Humphrey, Jr., takes place on Sunday, January 18, 2015, 7:00 pm at Love Center Ministries, 10440 International Blvd., Oakland, CA.  Please join the Olivet Church family and friends in celebration one of God's best.  Blessings.

The Olivet reunion choir rehearsals take place Jan. 8th and Jan. 15th @ 7:00 pm at Olivet Oakland, 1125 West St., Oakland, CA.

 

Nicole 'Nik' Caldwell - 1st Time Author - Bay Area Native - TODAY on sale NOW!

Oakland native Nicole Caldwell continues to thrive with her many talents in becoming a 1st time author, book entitled TODAY.  Nik's passion to empower young girls around the globe with inspirations of hope and dreams, TODAY will capture your attention from start to finish.  Come and meet Nik on Jan. 17th, grab a copy of her book, and enjoy the company of one  of Oakland's best-kept secrets.

Order your advanced discounted copy at www.nikcaldwell.com.  For interview/media/press contact Glass House Communications - yanad@glasshousepr.com

Out On The Town: Van Jones | Never Park Again | Hot Shot of the Week | Colors of Christmas | 100 Black Men and More...

Dec. 10th - Movement 50 Hosts Van Jones.  Earlier in the day Mr. Jones moved the crowd with his introduction of keynote speaker Rev. Jesse Jackson at the Intel/Diversity in Tech event in Santa Clara, CA.  During the evening, the same day, Mr. Jones commanded the stage at Impact HUB Oakland and in his true to form nature, always having a strong message to deliver, he addressed the movement around "Black Lives Matter" to the mission of #YesWeCode, which is a new initiative, founded by Mr. Jones, to train 100,000 people from low-income communities to code.  Mr. Jones put into very plain context that it's not that law enforcement officers are afraid of the violence that African American boys and men may do to them, but rather they are afraid of the potential of success of these individuals.  Movement 50, the group that hosted the event, are a group of new leaders, activists, artists, entrepreneurs, and pioneers energized about the future direction of Oakland and motivated to engage the larger community in joining that movement.  The organization started with the need to bring together the Bay Area's diversity and talent in order to harness that collective power towards change.

 

Dec. 13th - 100 Black Men of the Bay Area, 26th Annual Scholarship Dinner.  The damp weather in San Francisco did not stop close 600 supporters from gathering at the Marriott Hotel dressed to impress and ready to celebrate the many successes of their various programs throughout the year. The organization has several programs supporting youth: Youth Movement Program, The Junior 100 College Bound Mentoring Program, and The Collegiate 100 Black Men at UC Berkeley.  In 2014 they awarded $25,000 in scholarships and since their inception in 1988 they have awarded over $1.2M in educational scholarships and grants. The Gala Chair this year was Mr. Danny L. Williams and the MC of the hour was the funny and talented Daniel Dugar, and award recipients were: Michael Morgan, Oakland East Bay Symphony - Community Achievement Award; KBLX 102.9 - Corporate Community Achievement Award; Kazan, McClain et al - Corporate Achievement Award; and Robert L. Harris, Esq. - Lifetime Achievement Award. 

100 Black Men of America, Inc. seeks to serve as a beacon of leadership by utilizing our diverse talents to create environments where our children are motivated to achieve, and to empower our people to become self-sufficient shareholders in the economic and social fabric of the communities we serve.  Now more than 100 chapters and 10,000 members and still growing.

{Photo Lf to Rt: Daryle Wyte, 100 Black Men; Dr. Pastor Charley Hames, Jr., Beebe Memorial Cathedral; Michael DeFlorimonte, theREGISTRYBayArea}

 

ZIRX - Never Park Again.  I think I've FINALLY found a driver - well a driver of sorts - and I never have to worry about parking again.  For the many meetings and events that I attend in a day, I have to actually factor in time just to find parking which can add close to two additional hours to the hustle and bustle of the day.  Thank the stars for ZIRX, a parking concierge.  You simply download the app on either your Android or iPhone, stop you car near the address where you're going, request a driver/agent via your cell phone and usually arrive within 5 minutes they show up.  The agent will then take your car while you shop, do errands, attend meetings, etc..  Then, when you're done just call the agent and within about 15 minutes they show up with your car.  The $15 daily price includes it all: pickup, storage, redelivery, and tip.  Go online to read more about insurance, full day rates, etc. Read more - Zirx

 

Dec. 16th - Colors of Christmas w/Peabo Bryson @ Davies Symphony Hall.  From joining the crowd to engage in selfies to serenading the women and children, Peabo Bryson is a crowd favorite every year and I look forward to the event every year.  The Colors Of Christmas is an annual holiday musical celebration hosted by R&B sensation Peabo Bryson. Joined by a changing selection of musicians, Peabo Bryson and friends ring in Christmas every year with a musical evening full of favorite pop and Christmas hits.

This year, Peabo Bryson was accompanied by Taylor Dayne, best known for her No. 1 single Love Will Lead You Back and Tony and Grammy winner Jennifer Holliday, as well as American Idol Ruben Studdard, for an unforgettable performance. Every year the concert is backed by a full orchestra and the selected choir has been directed by the highly regarded and internationally known director, singer, songwriter, musician and Bay Area's own Jeffery Williams. - {Photo Lf.: Carolyn Tyler, Anchor ABC7)



 

Dec. 18th - The African American Employee Network (AAEN) Holiday Mixer @ W San Francisco.  Did you make it? I hope so because it's certainly an annual holiday event that you don't want to miss.  Some of the most influential movers and shakers in the Bay Area are all in the house, under one roof at one time which is rare.  It's not about passing business cards but more about 'cultivating a relationships' with the men and women who are moving the dial in both as corporate professionals and entrepreneurs.  As much as they are professionals they also know how to party and 'get it in' do it was not a 'stuffy' evening, but rather lot of good conversation, great music and smooth vibes.

AAEN of the Bay Area is a collaborative network of African American employee resource groups from the private, public, and educational sectors in the Greater Bay Area community. AAEN was organized by representatives from EY (Nicole Felix), Merrill Lynch (David Spencer), michaelD. Communications (Michael DeFlorimonte) and PG&E (Dela Weeks ) in direct response to a need expressed by members of the corporate community.  AAEN objectives are focused in four areas: Career/Professional Development • Financial Management • Work/Life Balance • Technology.  AAEN launched in Oct. 2011with an event sponsored by Merrill Lynch. Fifteen Bay Area corporations were represented. Today, AAEN is in contact with 30 Bay Area employee resource groups and associations.

 

 

Dec. 13th, 100 Black Men Annual Scholarship Gala.  Ms. Natalie Gunn and Mr. Bakari Adams were the 'BEST DRESSED couple of the evening. Done and Done!


And go!