Presented by Omni-U Virtual University Reprinted from South Side Drive Magazine Dr. Gloria Latimore-Peace believes in empowering her community through access to knowledge, and she believes knowledge begins with education. Countless years of study culminated in several degrees, including a Ph.D from Northwestern University. Dr. Latimore-Peace taught in the Chicago Public Schools, and before becoming a professor at Northeastern Illinois University’s Center for Inner City Stu

By Dr. Gloria J. Latimore-Peace Presented by Omni Virtual University I was prompted to write these introductory remarks by the various "tributes" that were being paid to our beloved Dr. Timuel D. Black, Jr, Maa Kheru, aqwho joined the Ancestors in mid-October of 2022. A song recorded by Gladys Knight and the Pips has a line in it that begins, " If anyone should ever write my life story…"[1]. Each of the TV renderings that I viewed attempted to summarize his "life story" via

By Ancestor Useni Eugene Perkins Presented by Omni-U Virtual University Matthew 19:14 But Jesus said, Suffer little children and forbid them not to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven. One Saturday morning, two men go downstream on a large river to fish. No sooner do they throw their lines into the water when they see a small child floating down the river. They quickly retrieve the child and begin fishing again. Moments later, another child comes floating down

By AbdudDharr Abdullah (Reprinted by permission)* Presented by Omni Virtual University Assata: In her own words "My name is Assata (“she who struggles”) Olugbala (“for the people”) Shakur (“the thankful one”), and I am a 20th century escaped slave. Because of government persecution, I was left with no other choice than to flee from the political repression, racism and violence that dominate the US government's policy towards people of color. I am an ex political prisoner and

By Dr. Gloria Latimore-Peace Presented By Omni University "Determination" by Ancestor Dr. John Henrik Clarke I am old. I am older than the Pyramids. I am older than the race That oppresses me. I will outlive oppression. I will outlive oppressors. As we reflect on the life of Atty. Lawrence E. Kennon, Maa Kheru, who joined the Ancestors on, September 12, 2020,we are grateful that our reminiscences can be shared with an attitude of gratitude for a life well lived on the hum

By AbdudDharr Abdullah Presented by Omni-University Ancestor Marion Nzinga Stamps, [Maa Kheru],was born in Jackson Mississippi. She became involved with the civil rights movement at the age of 13 under the guidance and direction of her former neighbor, famed civil rights activist, Medgar Evers. Marion moved to Chicago in 1963 and quickly became involved in the local civil rights movement. She moved into the Cabrini-Green Housing project at 1230 North Burling Avenue where she

By Dr. Josef Ben Levi Presented by Omni-U Virtual University “When Black children are denied their full history, they are denied their identity, their agency, and their inheritance. Historical Justice Press Journal (2025)* It continues to be part of a campaign of resistance to Black educational growth.” Supreme Court decisions, such as Brown v. Board of Education (1954), established the educational imperative that included the creation of tracking systems to keep the maj

By Mama Edie McLoud Armstrong Presented by Omni-University While the fight for Reparations from the federal government continues, careful attention should also be paid to forces at work that are closer to home, i.e., our art forms. Our creative expressions, which had always been a source of inspiration and strength, have been under heavy attack. The consciousness- raising music of the ‘60’s, ‘70’s and ‘80’s brought us musicians who sang of their love for Black people. Instru

By Mama Edie McLoud Armstrong Presented by Omni-U Virtual University Greetings Family, Ancestor Dr. Conrad Walter Worrill,Maa Kheru, was an outstanding Community Advocate and Leader, who was the Director of The Carruthers Center for Inner City Studies of Northeastern Illinois University, my Colleague and my friend. I am grateful to Mama Edie McLoud Armstrong for today's H3O Art of Life Blog,“ Reparations from the Inside Out:In Memory of Dr. Conrad W. Worrill.” We will offer

By Dr. Gloria Latimore-Peace Presented by Omni-U Virtual University "Every people should be the originators of their own designs, the projectors of their own schemes, and creators of the events that lead to their destiny, the consummation of their desires."1 Martin Robinson Delaney, Maa Kheru In order to facilitate our examination of the issue raised in Part 1 of "Going in Circles"- that " Black people still don

By Debra Hand Presented by Omni-U Virtual University A Jazz giant lives on. Thank you for your work, Geraldine Bey de Haas. Geraldine Bey de Haas was a tireless, life-long advocate, and activist who promoted, documented, and preserved America's National Treasure: the institution of Jazz. In 1981, she founded the non-for-profit organization, “Jazz Unites, Inc.” and, for more than thirty years -despite having lost her eye sight as the result of a stroke in 1999- she organized

By Dr. Gloria Latimore-Peace Presented by Omni-U Virtual University Let me admit, at the outset, that I love Ancestor Dr. Barbara A. Sizemore, Maa Kheru, with all my heart. From the very first moment I heard her speak, I bonded not only with her message, but with her spirit . In time, I was fortunate enough to become her student, in the Master's degree program at Northeastern Illinois University's Center for Inner City Studies[1] ,where I subsequently became a Faculty member

By Dr. Gloria Latimore-Peace Presented by Omni-U Dr. Yaounde Olu, Artist, Science Educator, and Astrologist;Mystic Wayne Sebamurti Gentry, Co-Founder of the Seba Im Aunk Foundation and author of, "The Nature of Intelligence: A Look Beyond Mere Thinking", and myself, Dr. Gloria Latimore-Peace came together to explore the concept of "intelligence,” which, like so many other abstractions expressed in the English language, is grossly misrepresented. "Intelligence," like "educa

By Dr. Gloria Latimore-Peace Presented by Omni-U Virtual University "I am because we are and because we are, therefore I am." John S. Mbiti, African Religions and Philosophy. At some time on your earthly sojourn, you are likely to have asked yourself- in reference to where you are at a particular point in "your" life- What am I doing here?" or "Why am I here?" It is also quite probable that you, too, have gone in search of the answer to these questions in order that you

By Jamila Barbara Onyeali Presented by Omni-U Virtual University We, the Bolozi Wazee Council of Elders Shule YaWatoto, have been truly honored to have received Baba Hannibal’s wise counsel and his unyielding leadership… He trained and enstooled each of us as Community Elders and gave African names to Mzees: Aminata Short, Amina Mayo, Kambon Johnson, Soyini Najwa, Kalonji Pates, Ayoka Sevanhu, Nantambu Johnson, and Koumba Johnson. He commissioned us to be guardians of the cul

By Asantewaa Oppong Wadie. Ed.D. Presented by Omni-U Virtual University Dr. Joyce E. King (2015) uses the term “psychic malaise” to describe the apathy and vague dissatisfaction that Black people experience when they realize that they do not truly belong in the mainstream culture, and that they are further not welcome or cared for in the general society. To address such mental distress, King offers the powerful, potent, and evocative re-telling and re-framing of Black Hist

By Hunter Havlin Adams,III Presented by Omni-U Virtual University Let America Be America Again Let America be the dream the dreamers dreamed— Let it be that great strong land of love Where never kings connive nor tyrants scheme That any man be crushed by one above (It never was America to me.) O, let my land be a land where Liberty Is crowned with no false patriotic wreath, But opportunity is real, and life is free, Equality is in the air we breathe. (There’s never been equa

By Dr. Gloria J. Latimore-Peace Presented by Omni-University "It takes a village to raise a child." African Proverb Exodus 20:12 (KJV) "Honor thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee." [1] In the foregoing scripture, we are admonished to "honor our mothers and our fathers that our days may be long…" Yet, here in America, only 2 out of 365/366 days- one for Mothers and one for Fathers- are set aside to "honor" them.

By Dr. Josef Ben Levi Presented by Omni-U Virtual University “Does not wisdom call? And understanding put forth her voice? These are the opening verses of the book of Proverbs, Chapter 8. The original name for the Book of Proverbs in Hebrew is (משלי), Mishali, i.e., “Examples.” Wisdom is calling out to the people to understand her- provided they meet her at the place of entry. What is unique about this text is that “wisdom” in Hebrew is a feminine verb, (חכמה), Khokmah. [1]

By Dr. Gloria J. Latimore-Peace Presented by Omni-U Virtual University Not so long ago, whenever we gathered, it was our practice to "pour libation" to the Ancestors* in remembrance of their vital roles in sustaining us throughout the "trials and tribulations" of life wherever we may have been in the diaspora. We believe it is also incumbent upon us to pay homage to our Elders who serve us in a similar capacity on this side of the veil. By raising the fundamental question,